It is with great sorrow that the matriarch of the Latimer family passed peacefully in her
home in Montclair, NJ on May 4, 2024. "Rosita," as she was known, was born in Barcelona,
Spain on June 27, 1932, She lived through the late stages of the Spanish Civil War with her
two sisters Maria Josepha and Monserrat, and her parents Pedro Vilardell and Emilia Vilardell
Berenguer.
Rosita was an unconventional, young Catalan woman. She insisted on riding her bicycle
hands free and went spelunking in the "Caves of Toll," the intrepid young woman amongst her
friends. She studied languages and the arts. She lived in Barcelona and spent summers at the
family cottage in Moià, Spain.
In the mid 50's, she met her future husband Roberto Latimer, a medical student at the
University of Barcelona. Roberto was instantly enamored by Rosita, as were so many of her
friends and family over the years, and vowed to friends that he wanted to marry her.
Roberto and Rosa were married in 1955 in Barcelona. Their sons George and Peter were
born there, Edward and Charles were born later in Montclair, NJ. Rosita resided in her Montclair
home for 54 years.
Rosita, the mother of 4 active sons, was kept busy. She was always involved in our
development - insisting we be exposed to travel, music, and the arts. She constantly gave of
herself to her loved ones, especially her grandchildren Daniel, Andrea, Brian, Gabriella, Olivia,
and Charlie Jr and daughters-in-law Tracy and Isabelle.
In her late 40's, Rosita matriculated into Montclair State University where she majored in
psychology with a minor in art. She graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1982. Scoring only one
"B" (in statistics). Rosita was fluent in 4 languages.
Rosita was loving, kind, generous and a patient mom. She was a fabulous chef, regularly
cooking without recipes. At our family table, dinner regularly consisted of comfort foods, like
paella and chicken croquettes, as well as a sampling of more adventurous foods from around the
World.
Up until 3 months before her passing, Rosita prepared meals daily and climbed the stairs
of a 7-bedroom home every day. She was a force and a powerful woman.
She loved her garden, painting, her birds, and her feral cat Bella. She remained connected
to her family and friends in Barcelona daily. She loved to entertain and host our Catalan family at
the hotel Latimer. Our doors remain open.
Rosita, Mom, Yaya, you have been such a blessing to us all. You were a one-of-a-kind
legend, with that rare combination of humility, worldliness, beauty, and grace. While we can only
look up to the stars and smile at your memory, we shall forever carry a piece of you in our hearts
and reflect upon your maternal beauty. We will all miss you greatly.
The family will receive friends and relatives on Saturday May 11th from 12pm-2pm at Caggiano Memorial, 62 Grove St, Montclair, a memorial service will begin at 2pm.
Memorial donations in lieu of flowers to the Sierra Club or the World Wildlife Fund, would be appreciated.