Rosalia Granillo Sotomayor

Rosalia Granillo Sotomayor died on Thursday, September 14, 2017 in Lakewood, CA at the age of 101. She had been in decline for the past few weeks so her passing while sad was not unexpected. She had lived a full life.

From her birth in Tucson, AZ on May 25, 1916 to her death she was nourished by her strong family bonds and deep religious faith. She was born in the Barrio Anita to Maria and Francisco Granillo and was one of five children. She attended Davis Elementary School and Roskruge Junior High School but, as was the custom at the time for young girls, she did not go on to high school. Instead she began working as a lady’s maid and over time developed into a highly skilled and talented seamstress. By her early twenties she was employed as a dressmaker by a stylish and noted women's boutique in Tucson. It was a vocation and a passion that she pursued for the rest of her life.

By the 1930's Chalita, as she was known to her friends and family, had blossomed into a vivacious and headstrong beauty. She attracted the attention of Alfredo Almenar and they were married in 1934. They soon had a daughter, Alice, born in 1935 who would remain a central figure in her life and a greatly loved daughter until her untimely death in 2005. However, the marriage did not last and just after World War Two ended she married again to Manuel P. Sotomayor Jr. known as “Chito” to all who knew him well. Together Chito and Chalita had three children: Manny, Eddie and Christy. Their marriage would last for decades and she became a dedicated wife and homemaker and devoted her life to caring for and raising her family. As she often said, these were the happiest and most rewarding and fulfilling years of her life. They instilled in their children many of their own traits of being industrious, resourceful, steadfast and patriotic. She lived to see many of her early dreams for her children realized and derived much satisfaction and happiness from their accomplishments as the years unfolded. Widowed in 1982, she later moved to the Los Angeles area where she spent her sunset years being loved and cared for by her devoted daughter, Christina, and her constant companion, friend and caregiver Rosie Quezon. As she often said, “Con el favor de Dios”, she was spared the trials of serious illnesses and though she sparred with death several times she remained in good health, if a bit frail, until her last days. Mercifully, her final moments were peaceful and pain free, safe in her daughter’s home and surrounded by her loved ones. She is now at peace and in His gracious presence.

Left to honor Rosalia and remember her love are her three children, COL Manuel G. Sotomayor (USAR, Retired), Eduardo G. Sotomayor and Dr. Christina Sotomayor Lopez and her sister, Mrs. Alicia Piña. She will forever be “Grandma Rose” to nine grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren and fourteen great-great-grandchildren. Plus “Tia” to many nieces and nephews. Rosalia was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Jesus, Eduardo and George Granillo and her daughter Mrs. Alice Almenar Duran.

Rosalia will be remembered as a gracious lady who lived a life filled with both triumphs and tragedies but whose indomitable spirit allowed her to persevere and find great joy in a life well-lived for over a century.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 29th, 2017. Mass will be celebrated at St. Augustine Cathedral, 192 South Stone Ave, Tucson, Arizona. Burial will follow at Holy Hope Cemetery in Tucson.

The Sotomayor family would like to extend our gratitude to all the friends and family who have extended their heartfelt condolences and sympathies.

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401