Rosa Martha de Santos, 82, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 17th, surrounded by family and friends. Rosa was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, godmother, aunt and sister, as well as a friend to everyone. She was a lifelong and faithful member of the Catholic Church Community in El Paso.
Rosie was married to her husband Francisco for 57 years prior to his sudden passing in 2022. She is survived by her daughter Jessie de Santos (John Hernandez), sons Francisco “Frank” de Santos III (Djuana) and Gabriel de Santos (Lori). She also leaves behind her loving grandchildren Francisco “Frankie” de Santos, Gabriel de Santos, Ashley Morrison (Johann Cherian), Mary Therese de Santos, Gabriela de Santos, Brittney de Santos, Michael de Santos, Sean Morrison (Emma), Tyler Morrison and great grandchild Ayla Joy Morrison. She also considered Savanah Pantoja, Diego Marquez, Jr, Sophia Marquez, Vanessa Garcia, Matthew Garcia and Moises Garcia her grandchildren as well. Rosie is also survived by her sister Mary Giron. Her godchildren are Tony Viramontes, Jr., Paul Viramontes, Jr., Larry Uribe, Ramon Reyes, Terri Giron and Juan Carlos Morales.
She was preceded in death by her father Jose G. Frias, mother Maria de Jesus Frias, sisters Maria Dolores Frias and Maria Esperanza Frias.
Rosie, who was a lifelong resident of El Paso, Texas was born on March 23, 1943. She attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School and graduated from Austin High School. After high school, she met her soon to be husband Francisco de Santos, Jr and they married in January 1965. She unfortunately experienced an early tragic event later that year when her mother suddenly passed away in July. After burying her mom, a few months later their first child, daughter Jessie was born. As a new mom, Rosie worried about every sneeze, cough and cold Jessie experienced and relied heavily on the advice of Dr. Lawrence Nickey. Two year later in September of 1967 their son Frank was born and finally Gabriel was born in February of 1971.
Rosie was involved in her children’s education. She would often spend her day at school assisting Jessie as she started elementary school. She was actively involved in the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and named a VIP after volunteering numerous hours at both Park Elementary and Canyon Hills Middle School. After her children had grown up, she helped her sister, who was working, by taking care of her children, Terri and Oscar Giron.
Rosie had a remarkable memory and would remember EVERYONE’S special days. She would write out and mail her anniversary and birthday cards, even up to the last few weeks of her life. It was important to her that people were remembered on their special days. If it was a birthday card, she would insert a five- or ten-dollar bill, when she could. She made sure to stretch a dollar as far as she could, always having her husband Frank take her to the store to buy money orders to pay their bills on time. She always had a long yellow pad and would make her lists of bills that needed to be paid, phone numbers and food she needed to buy. She even wrote out her final burial plans years ago on those same yellow pads. She was a woman who never turned anyone away who needed help or who was alone. Her and Frank would host Thanksgiving lunch for the entire family and friends. She would make her list beginning in August, shop for the food, begin cooking the Monday of that week, attend the parade that morning with her hot chocolate and donuts then hurry back home to warm the food for the 75 people that would attend yearly. She would never eat but would clean up and prepare to-go plates for everyone. It became a tradition that she started that remains today. She would never turn away anyone, human or animal. You could always count on Rosie to be sitting at the hospital for every emergency, surgery or birth. She was an amazing friend but even better mother to all.
We would like to thank all those that took the time to call, write and visit with her, especially while she was at the Patriot Rehabilitation Center. She was a resident for the last two years of her life as she had numerous health issues and needed 24-hour care. She made so many amazing new friends. It was heartbreaking to watch as the staff at the Patriot gave their condolences to Rosie after she passed away. They also honored her with a Hero’s Goodbye as the funeral home rolled her out of the facility. They treated her like family, and we appreciate all their hard work and love they provided her when we could not be there.
Rosie had nothing but good thoughts for everyone, wanted everyone to always get along and wanted everyone to feel special. She will be truly missed by everyone.
A Visitation will be from 4:00 - 8:00 pm Thursday, September 25, 2025 with a Rosary at 6:00 pm at Sunset Funeral Homes - Northeast, 4631 Hondo Pass Dr, El Paso, Tx 79904. A Funeral Mass will be at 12:30 Friday, September 26, 2025 at Blessed Sacrament Parish, 9025 Diana Dr, El Paso, TX 79904 following a Committal Service at 2:00 pm at Mount Carmel Cemetery, 401 S Zaragoza Rd, El Paso, TX 79907.
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