Maria Vergara Rosell

Maria Vergara Rosell, 97, surrounded by her family passed away peacefully on January 26, 2011, at the home of her daughter, Rosa MacAfee. Maria was born on October 13, 1913, in San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico. She was the second and only surviving child of loving parents, Don Guadalupe Vergara and Dona Victoria Mesa Vergara. Maria was educated in a private boarding school for young ladies, where home “management”, social graces, and home arts were taught along with the regular courses. She graduated at 16, dreaming of a career in dentistry, but was not allowed to further her education, as this was reserved for men only. Maria met and married Jose Rosell Campos at age 17, started their family. The family came to the U.S. (Nogales, Ariz.) in 1943, when Jose was a member of the Mexican Consular Service. Maria is predeceased by her parents, her eldest son, Henry V. Rosell, granddaughter Shelly Rosell and grandson, Dan Rosell. She is survived by her remaining three sons, Joe X. Rosell, George A. Rosell, Fred E. Rosell and wife Amelia; daughter Rosa MacAfee; 31 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, and 7 great, great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6-9pm, with a Rosary at 7pm, Sunday, January 30 and Funeral Service will be at 10am, Monday, January 31 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85018. Interment will follow at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th Street, Phoenix. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Maria’s name to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014.