Rosa Convers

It is with both profound sadness and endless appreciation that we announce the passing of Rosa Esther Aguirre Destefano Convers on November 3, 2023, in New York City, at the age of 91. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt; a loyal friend; and a devoted colleague.

While she will be deeply missed, we celebrate her amazing and inspiring life. A citizen of the world, Rosa was born in Argentina, on April 25, 1932, in the San Urbano neighborhood of Melincué, a small lakeside town about 70 miles from Rosario. Rosa's mother, (Rosa Luisa Amalia Destefano Carbone) was the daughter of Italian immigrants while her father (Alfredo Aguirre Lescano) was of Basque descent. She was introduced to the Bahá'í faith while in her teens. After studying to become a school teacher, she moved to Lima, Peru in the early 1950s. Ten years later, she moved to Brooklyn, New York where she worked in a factory before getting a job at the United Nations, as a key punch operator. She rose through the ranks eventually becoming a Human Resources Officer. She earned a postgraduate degree from the New School for Social Research while working. Rosa spoke four languages and was always in demand for her extraordinary work ethic, supporting UN missions and offices in Morocco, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Geneva, and Austria well past her "mandatory" retirement. She proudly became a U.S. citizen in 2015.

Rosa led by example, with a fierce, if quiet, determination to improve the lives of everyone around her, including the many four-legged members of her extended and extensive family. A more caring, compassionate, generous, strong, and hard working role model there will never be. She inspired our better angels, and we are forever grateful for her boundless love and support.

Rosa was predeceased by her husband, Carlos Convers. She was predeceased by her son, George Bejar, and is survived by her son, Alfredo Bejar, both from a previous marriage. She is survived by her daughter, Irene Rose Convers Esposito, her son-in-law Grant Esposito, her grandchildren, Catherine Rose (Cate) and Nicholas Carlos (Nico) Esposito, and her nephews Mariano and Alejandro Aguirre.

In accordance with her wishes as well as Baha'i customs, a brief gathering will be held Wednesday, November 8 from 11:00am-12:00pm at Riverside Memorial Chapel, 180 West 76th Street (Amsterdam Avenue) NY, NY.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation to the ASPCA, the Humane Society or any charity or non-profit organization of your choice.