Maria Velasquez

Maria RosarioRosie Casarez Velasquez, 57, of Roswell, passed away on February 12, 2009, after a longtime scleroderma illness. She was born April 3, 1951, to Paulino and Matilde Casarez in Roswell, NM.

Rosie graduated from Roswell High School in 1969 and received her cosmetology license in 1969. She married Fermin Velasquez on July 26, 1975, in Roswell. Rosie lived in Roswell all of her life and was a successful beautician for 39 years. She loved her job and the many patrons who eventually became some of her closest friends. She was gifted with beauty and enjoyed the opportunity to beautify others with her talented hands, beautiful smile, and charming personality. Rosie was a member of St. Peters Parish and served as a former Sunday school teacher. Rosie was well respected and loved by many and will be sadly missed by family and friends.

Rosie was preceded in death by her father, Paulino Casarez; uncle Rosendo Casarez; aunt Emma Casarez; cousin Teresa Casarez. Survivors include her husband Fermin; her son, Adrian of Dallas; mother, Matilde Casarez of Roswell, brothers Louie of Roswell, Gilbert of Dallas, and Tino of Denver; sisters Nina Martinez and Liza Hamilton of Roswell; 34 nephews and nieces; and numerous other relatives.

Serving as pallbearers will be Rosies godchildren: Myles Hamilton, Aaron DeLos Santos, Michael Lopez, Ricardo Martinez, Jason Zamora, and Roman Rivera. Honorary pallbearers will be Louie Casarez, Gilbert Casarez, Tino Casarez, Mike Hamilton, Alfred Velasquez, and Ryc Velasquez.

Im freedont grieve for me, for now Im free. Im following the path God laid for me. I took his hands when I heard his call. I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day to laugh, love, work or play. Tasks left undone must stay that way. Ive found peace at the close of day. If my parting has left a void, then fill it up with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss. Oh yes, these things, too, I will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow. I wish you sunshine tomorrow. My lifes been full, I savored much, a loved ones touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, dont lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me, God wanted me now. He set me free.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations may be made to the Scleroderma Foundation at: Scleroderma Foundation, Attn: Donations, 300 Rosewood Drive, Suite 105, Danvers, MA 01923
PA rosary will be recited at St. Peters Church on Monday evening, February 16, at 6:30pm. The funeral mass of resurrection will be held at St. Peters Church at 11:00am on February 17th. Burial will follow services at South Park C

Visitation

Ballard Funeral Home
910 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88202
Sunday, February 15, 2009
12:00 pm 7:00 pm

Service

Funeral Mass

St. Peters Catholic Church
109 E. Deming
Roswell, NM  88203
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
11:00 am

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203

Memorial Contributions

Scleroderma Foundation, Attn: Donations
300 Rosewood Drive, Suite 105
Danvers, MA  01923