Rosa Maria Munoz Pena passed away on Aug. 7, 2023 in Hermiston at the age of 84, returning home to Christ where she was reunited with her husband Jesse and daughter Lisa.
She was born in Eagle Pass, Texas on Jan. 8, 1939 to Gustavo Linares Munoz and Maria Anita Buendia Munoz.
At the age of 17 she married the love of her life, Jesus “Jesse” Gomez Pena on Sept. 12, 1956. In July 1957 they began their family with the arrival of their daughter, Ana Luisa “Lisa.” They welcomed their second child, Jose “Jesse”, into the world in November 1958. Rosa and Jesus relocated their growing family to Hermiston in 1960. In January 1964 their youngest child, Tomas “Tommy,” was born.
For many years Rosa was a homemaker and worked in the fields. Once her children were grown, she began working as a utility 3 worker for Lamb Weston, where she spent 20 years before retiring from approximately 30 years ago. She then returned to being a homemaker and enjoying time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Rosa was a devoted Catholic and attended Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church. She would regularly take her grandchildren with her and explain to them what was being taught and why they should accept and love Christ.
Some of Rosa’s favorite pastimes were taking vacations to Texas with her husband Jesse, sewing, crocheting, making homemade tortillas, tamales and empanadas, and watching WWE and telenovela – but most of all, being able to spend time with her loved ones. To Rosa, her family was her most cherished gift.
Rosa is survived by her sons, Jose “Jesse” (Janet) and Tomas “Tommy” (Tasha); her grandchildren, Christina, Amica, Jordan, Alisha, Amanda, Josiah and Addie; her great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; all six of her siblings, Jose, Arturo, Gustavo, Cruz, Zulema and Esperanza; her daughter, Ana Luisa “Lisa”; and her husband of 66 years, Jesse.
Next month, Rosa and Jesse will celebrate their 67th wedding anniversary, together in heaven with the Lord.
Viewing will be on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Burns Mortuary, Hermiston.
Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023 at 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, Hermiston, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 2:30 p.m.
Burial will follow at the Hermiston Cemetery.
Please share memories of Rosa with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
