Rosa M. Figueroa, 78, of Rochester, passed away at 3:39 PM on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at Howard Community Regional Health of Kokomo.
Rosa was born on October 30, 1943 in Cajabamba, Peru, South America, to Antonio and Adela G. Huertas Figueroa. Growing up she shared her childhood with seven siblings, in their home nestled among the Andes Mountains. Following her graduation from high school she went to the university to study education. Miss Rosa spent many years teaching in the elementary schools and was very loved and respected by her students.
Following her retirement in 2001, Rosa Maria came to live with her daughter Mili and family and made Fulton County home. She loved and treasured the time she spent with her children and the grandchildren, at the holidays and special family celebrations over the years. She was known to spoil her grandchildren; she cooked them their favorite meals on request. Rosa also dearly loved her church family at Whippoorwill Community Church.
With her retirement, Rosa initiated a new chapter in her life as a missionary returning to her home country and independently started several small churches. She made an annual pilgrimage back to Peru, spreading the word of God wherever she went—in the marketplace, on the bus, by the wayside. She always brought food and gifts to share and spent her time in the States gathering things to bring back and bless the poor. She possessed great faith and won many, many souls for Christ. Rosa possessed selfless courage, a generous heart and loved helping others improve their lives while growing their love for God.
Left to cherish Rosa's memory are her mother, Adela Huertas; four children: Raul Escudero and his children, Fiorella, Roxana, Tatiana, Estrella, Adriana, Bryana and Jacob; Carlos Escudero and wife Lucia and their children Miracle, Adela, Karlos, Antonio, Zakiel and Sabba; Milagritos and husband Ivan Ramos and their children Stacy and Britney; Guida Escudero and husband Miguel Vera and their children Joaquin, Camila and Micaela. She also leaves to cherish her memory seven siblings: Humberto Figueroa and wife Nery and their children, Cynthia, Erika, Christian and Coco; David Figueroa and wife Wilma and their children Glennis, Rudy and Melissa; Arturo Figueroa, wife Nirvia and their children Juliane, Gabriela and Arturo; Zoila Figueroa and her children Edgardo and Ingrid; Consuelo Figueroa and husband Juau and their children Gian Carlo and Daniel; Martin Figueroa; Carlos Figueroa and wife Silvia and their children Karla and Mellanie. She also leaves behind many sisters of faith at the villages of her home country and in the United States.
Rosa Maria was preceded in death by her father.
A celebration of the life of Rosa Maria Figueroa will be at 12:00 Noon. Her family will receive friends from 10:30 AM to noon, on Friday, September 2, 2022 at the Whippoorwill Community Church, 4795 N. 200 W. Rochester, Indiana. Pastor Brian Sewell will officiate.
Interment will be in the Richland Center Cemetery in Rochester.
