Rosalie Goska

Rosalie was born in Kalusz, Poland on February 26th 1931 to Karolina (Liebersbach) and Stanislaw Hladki. Rosalie was one of six children. She had four sisters and a baby brother who completed their family. After World War II the family of eight bravely chose to leave war torn Europe and immigrate to Canada. Rosalie was 16 years old at the time her family began to build their new life. She worked at a cotton spool factory in Hamilton, Ontario, where she gave her wages to her parents as all the children did.

Rosalie married and gave birth to a daughter, Teresa Stella. Life in Canada was rich with family and friends and included lots of Polish picnics and dancing on the weekends. Life was good but Rosalie was not afraid of new adventures and in 1962 she and Frank packed up a trailer, hitched it to their car, and headed to California. They arrived in Los Angeles and found a pay phone to call the Polish Catholic Church, Our Lady of Bright Mount. The church opened its arms and provided opportunity for jobs to Rosalie and Frank. As a couple they managed apartments for a wealthy Polish landlord in Los Angeles. The church also brought a flood of awesome friendships. They had dinner parties, dances and traveled together. In 1966, Rosalie gave birth to a son, Andrew Steven.

Rosalie was a very dynamic woman who was a hard worker, loved dancing, baking (carrot cake was her specialty), and spoke four languages, Polish, German, Russian and English. She faithfully attended the Polish Catholic church, which treated her so kindly, up until her last Sunday when she attended a mass on July, 10 2016 for her late husband, Frank Goska. She was a babcia to four grandchildren, Julie, Christopher, Melanie and Zosia and one great grandson Kent Oslo. Rosalie’s last project was a labor of love. You could often catch her busy crocheting a blue blanket for her second great grandson due to be born this October.

Rosalie was living happily in her home with the assistance of a caregiver. Rosalie’s home placed her close to her loved ones in adjacent cities and even in the same neighborhood as her grandson and great grandson who lived just a street away. This lent for opportunity for lots of quality family time filled with much laughter, hugs and kisses. Spending time with her family was by far Rosalie’s favorite past time. Sweet Rosalie passed away in the peace of God’s arms at an Orange County hospital with her daughter Teresa and son Andrew by her side.