Rosa (Palomarez) ZAVALA

PALOMAREZ, ZAVALA, GARZA, GUTIERREZ, HANLEY, RIVAS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 11/9/2015 at 16:56:34

September 4, 1928 --- June 21, 2015

Rosa P. Zavala, age 86, of Mabton, WA passed away early Sunday morning, June 21, 2015 at Sunnyside Community Hospital in Sunnyside, WA, surrounded by her loving family. She was born September 4, 1928 to Prudencio Palomarez and Guadalupe H. Palomarez in Belmond, Iowa. Rosa received her education in Iowa. In her early years she worked alongside her parents and siblings, migrating throughout the United States. Her family came to Washington State and settled in the early 1940s. On September 26, 1947 she married the love of her life, Epigmenio Zavala in Zillah, WA.

Later, she and her husband Epigmenio, made Mabton their home, built a life together and raised their children. Rosa enjoyed cooking, crocheting, singing along to her favorite songs, watching soap operas, and taking a spin on the dance floor with her husband. Rosa also greatly enjoyed getting her family together for breakfast on Sunday mornings after Mass so she could be in the presence of her friends and family over a good, home cooked meal that she prepared from scratch.

Rosa was a resilient, witty, opinionated woman with a heart of gold. In September 2007 they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Rosa worked for the Washington State Migrant Council in Mabton, WA as a cook from 1976 until 1997 when she retired. She was a life-long member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Mabton. After retirement, she continued to use her cooking as a way to get the family together, and spent countless hours with a skein of yarn in her lap, crocheting various items for her loved ones. She especially loved making baby blankets and hats for the new arrivals in her ever growing family. Rosa always stressed the importance of being well mannered, respectful, and letting your voice be heard. She was a very outspoken person and made sure that her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren knew that they should not be afraid to speak their minds, and let their opinions be heard. Rosa had such an infectious laugh that you couldn’t help but laugh along with her, even if you didn’t quite know why she was laughing. She will forever be in our hearts and she will be dearly missed by her entire family. We love you Grandma!

She is survived by her children, Daniel Zavala (Sue) of Gladstone, OR; Celia Garza (Lupe) of Mabton, WA; Martha Gutierrez (Oscar) of Mabton, WA; Fred Zavala (Vera) of Mabton, WA; Ismael Zavala (Carol) of Mabton, WA; Rudy Zavala (Mary) of Wenatchee, WA; Susan Zavala (Daniel) of Mabton, WA; Art Zavala (Vickie) of Mabton, WA; John Zavala of Richland, WA; Jim Zavala of Mabton, WA; Clyde Zavala of Yakima, WA; Beatrice Hanley (Richard) of Vancouver, WA and Michael Zavala (Rachel) of Mabton, WA, 49 grandchildren, 95 great grandchildren, 21 great-great grandchildren and 2 nieces who she loved dearly, Carolina Rivas and Natalia Palomarez. As well as numerous other nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, 3 brothers, her husband Epigmenio, 2 sons, Rolando Zavala (infant) and Patricio Zavala, 1 daughter, Maria Alicia “Licha” Zavala, 2 grandsons, and 1 granddaughter.

Viewing and visitation will be held Thursday, June 25, 2015 from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. with a rosary to be recited at 6:00 P.M. at Smith Funeral Home in Sunnyside, WA. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, June 26, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Grandview, WA with Burial to follow at the Mabton Cemetery in Mabton, WA. Smith Funeral Homes Ltd. & Crematory in care of arrangements.

http://www.funeralhomesmith.com/notices/Rosa-Zavala/