Rosa Mendoza Betancourt

The youngest of eighteen siblings, the mother of ten children, grandmother of thirty-one, great grandmother of thirty-nine and great great grandmother of five-Rosa embodied the true definition of a saint in human form and the discipline she had towards her faith was matched only by her devotion to caring for her loved ones and community. Between her masses a day, praying her rosarios, and reading her novenas, she always made sure to make time to share her wisdom with her loved ones. Rosa was not only a beacon of light for her family and community, but an elegant force who weathered a full century of life. She leaves us with a legacy of holiness and grace, patience and wisdom, love and faith, humility and compassion; she has imprinted on our hearts for eternity.

Rosa Betancourt, originally from Jalisco, grew up enjoying riding her horses and loved her morning swims. She married at the age of eighteen and moved to Tapalpa, Jalisco, where she and her husband Pedro Betancourt started their family of 10. There, the family lived in a beautiful hacienda where they tended to their gardens, cattle, and maintained the ranch on which they lived. Rosa always trusted the path, which God laid in front of her, and worked with great effort to help provide a loving home for her family. In the mid-sixties the family packed up and moved to the United States, settling in the Los Angeles area. Though now in a different country, this step allowed her family to gain new experiences while still staying true to the heritage, traditions, culture, and values she held so dear.

Rosa embodied what it truly meant to be a mother in her divine grace, to not only her family, but anyone lucky enough to cross her path. Her inviting and calming demeanor made anyone who walked in her door feel right at home, always greeting you with a warm smile and a couple kisses on the cheek. Dedicated to helping those around her, whether they knew it or not, Rosa would be praying for you. She cherished life and every gift- including the wrapping paper- and welcomed any guest God put at her doorstep. And if you were lucky, she may have made you some of her famous frijoles and sent you on your way with her blessing-

"Que dios te bendiga"