ROSE MARIE TORRES-PEREZ, 55
Lobbyist for Communications Workers of America

July 29, 2010

Rose Marie Torres-Perez, 55, of Sugarland, Texas, passed away Sunday, July 25, 2010.

She was born in Bridgeton on Nov. 4, 1954, the sixth of nine children born to the late Josefina (Perez-Rodriguez) and Norasco Torres-Mateo of Vineland and Orocovis, Puerto Rico. Rosie graduated from Vineland Senior High School in 1973, having distinguished herself by sharing her personal time and skills working with elementary school youngsters, and sharing her leadership and organizational skills with other members of the Vineland High School Future Teachers of America Teachers' Aides Program. She also served as a member of Vineland High School's Color Guard.

Rosie went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree from Douglass College, Rutgers University in New Brunswick. She graduated with honors in 1978 with a major in Spanish and with minors in education and Puerto Rican studies. She was certified to teach in grades K-12 by the state of New Jersey. In 1984, Rosie earned a master's degree in labor studies at Rutgers University's Labor Education Center in New Brunswick.

Early in her career, Rosie worked as a teacher in New Brunswick. She was appointed vice president of the Board of Education in New Brunswick, serving with distinction for many years. In 1984, Rosie moved to Austin, Texas, where she was employed as a field representative by the Texas Alliance for Human Needs. In 1985, Rosie went on to serve as a legislative aide to Texas Sen. Carlos F. Truan at the state capitol. Rosie was proud to call then governor of Texas, the late Ann Richards, her friend.

Rosie and her late husband, Eduardo Diaz-Burgos, moved to Virginia in 1992. They both were employed by an organization they both learned to consider family, Communications Workers of America (CWA) in Washington, D.C. Rosie represented CWA as a lobbyist on Capitol Hill; writing and promoting legislation on behalf of union workers was her forte. Rosie also worked tirelessly opposing legislation detrimental to union workers and their families. She was an active member of the Democratic National Committee in Washington, D.C., and of many organizations dedicated to improving conditions for Hispanics/Latinos and others politically, socially and economically with a focus on education, housing, civil rights and human rights.

In 2000, Rosie and her then 2-year-old daughter, Victoria Marie, lost Eduardo at 41 years of age to a heart attack while he was in Scotland on union business. In 2002, Rosie was diagnosed with breast c ancer. Following a period of remission, the disease metastasized to her bones. In 2009, following semi- successful treatment at Georgetown University, it was decided that Rosie and Victoria would sell their beloved home in Alexandria, Va., and relocate to the Houston area near her late husband's family. With great hope for a cure, and with her typical optimism and courage, Rosie sought treatment at the University of Texas' M.D. Anderson Medical Center, renowned for cancer treatment success. Despite her efforts and those of dear friends, family and medical staff, Rosie lost her valiant battle against breast cancer on July 25, 2010. She passed away in her sleep while at home with her round-the-clock caregivers, two of her sisters, Micky and Josie, together with her beloved daughter, Victoria; her favorite young niece, Micky's 9-year-old daughter, Lauren; and her beloved white standard male poodle, 8-year-old Snowy Bianco.

Rosa Marie is survived by her minor daughter, Victoria Marie, who is currently residing in Texas with her maternal aunt, Migdalia "Micky" Torres- Thompson (Edwin) of Orlando, Fla., and Texas, and her cousin, Lauren Diana Thompson. Rosie also is survived by her godfather, Andy Banks of Maryland; her godmother, Denise Gray of Virginia; her parents-in-law, Salvador and Eulalia (Burgos) Diaz of Puerto Rico; three sisters-in-law residing in Texas and by her other sisters, Reyes N. (Rerda) Torres-Herrera and attorney Zaida J. (Josie) Torres of Cleveland, Ohio, attorney Lani Y. Torres- MacDonald of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Carmen E. T orres Ragsdale and Ronald of Vineland; and her brothers, Jose N. "Joe" Torres and Nancy (Veek), and Pedro Juan "Pete" Torres of Vineland, and Aldo P. "Al" Torres and Saadia (Torres) of San Diego, Calif. Rosie will be missed, but remembered with great fondness by her godson, Edwin Gerard Thompson, and his brother, Austin Michael Thompson; a host of uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Europe; and many dear friends and neighbors from Alexandria, Va., Austin, Texas, Scranton, Pa., and Washington, D.C.

Rosie was predeceased by her beloved husband, Eduardo Diaz-Burgos; their infant daughter, Danika, in Geneva, Switzerland, while residing there on union business; and her parents, Josefina (Perez- Rodriguez) Torres and Norasco Torres-Mateo of Vineland, and their first-born infant daughter, Jenny.

Funeral home visitations will be held from 7 to 9 p. m. Friday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday with a memorial service at 11 a.m. at Rone Funeral Service. Arrangements are under the supervision of Rone Funeral Service, 1110 E. Chestnut Ave., Vineland.

Donations may be made to the Victoria Marie Diaz-Torres Education Trust Fund, administered by Communications Workers of America, c/o Trustees, CWA President Larry Cohen and Yvette Herrera, chairwoman of CWA's Education and Training Department. 501 3rd St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 2001-2797; telephone: (202) 434-1133.