This memory is of Rudy & Rose Marie as a 'whole' not a separate memory of each.  Rose Marie was in love with Rudy since she was fourteen years old.  She told me many times that her life was and is Rudy.  But, the strong person that she was tried not to complain about his passing. 

My parent's (Dad, 'Jesse' mostly) were friends with 'each' of them, but had known them since the days when Pinole was the cutest little town!  The creek that was at the bottom of Henry Avenue was the most beautiful creek that we could go play in...Story book quality!  The Bait Shop was where you went to buy candy and take a short cut back up to Linda Heights.  I was on a baseball team (first base).  And my brother (Jesse) to this day is known for hitting (baseball) the railroad tracks at Fernandez Park.  The Bonfire at Fernandez Park (burning the old Christmas trees) felt like an extension of the holidays and merits being in a Hallmark movie...Doctor's hospital was the best and helped make Pinole a great place to live.  But, sometimes the best isn't good enough...because most of this is gone now.  

It wasn't until I was 18 years old and a Mother of a three year old (Chantel) when I really got to know Rudy & Rose Marie.  Charmaine and I started visiting each other while I was living at my Dad's house and 'separated' from my husband at that time.  So look who their 'only 16 year old daughter' is bringing to her parent's home.  Yes, by the World's standards I was not an ideal influence on their daughter!  But they were ABOVE the standards and opinions of the World.  They were STRONG, SMART, HAPPY, LOVING, FUNNY, UNPRETENTIOUS people. They showed me that the MOST IMPORTANT things in life are the simplest (best) things. . .LOVE, FAMILY, BEING NON-JUDGMENTAL, TRUST and last but not least FOOD!  Rose Marie cooked and I talked about how much I loved the meal! :)  I've carried the qualities that Rudy and Rose Maire gave me throughout my life, and I use them wisely and actively each day being a business owner now.  After Rudy passed, Rose Marie and I were still talking about food and she would give great input on her favorites. . .and unknowingly my guest's get to eat her food!  The Pineapple Upside Down Cake was the last dessert we did together. . .YUM!

The LOVE that Rudy & Rose Marie showed me was perfectly ingrained in my heart at a time when I needed it the most. . .and softened my heart as well.  What better gift could anyone recieve... . . .

I remember the day of my grandmothers funeral, it was october 1983, It was a sad day in our family. my moms mother had passed and it my aunty Rose maries sister, and they were the best of friends. I remember the get together at aunties house after we left the cemetery, I was sitting on the porch with my head down and aunty came out and sat with me and started telling stories of when she was a kid with my grandmother, her sister. It was a conversation I will never forget. And at the end of it she told me that my grandmother was very proud of me, and loved me with all of her heart and she said that she will always be with me as long as i keep her in my memories. My aunty made me feel so much better with just those simple words. as the years went on and I got older and married, had kids, and even through my very rough divorce, I always gained strength from my aunties words and advice. I will never forget you Aunty.. my only peace in your passing is that you are out of pain, and you are with the love of your life again..Uncle Rudy. you are anangel on my shoulders now, as you have always been. I will see you again one day, and what a great day that will be.

                                                 I love you Aunty.

                                                    Bobby

I thank you God for:

giving me such a loving and caring mother,

giving myself, my husband and my brothers the strength to care for her in her time of sickness and guiding us as you guided her into your arms,

and for your grace and compassion in allowing her to pass onto you peacefully.