Obituary of Rosemary Faitos

Rosemary Faitos died peacefully on January 3rd, 2013 after a brief illness. She was surrounded by family and loving friends in her final days and was looking forward to reuniting with her beloved husband, Ernest. She is survived by her daughter Helen Marie Russon and her husband Robert of Portland, Oregon; her son Ernest Donald Faitos of San Francisco, her daughter Susan Elizabeth Faitos of Sacramento and her brother Fred Nichols of Penn Valley. She was preceded in death by her husband Ernest Albert Faitos and her son Thomas Louis Faitos. Rosemary was born on January 15, 1930 in Los Angeles, California, the eldest of four children. Her family moved to San Mateo County and she graduated from San Mateo High School before attending San Jose State University. It was there, in a biology lab class where she first met her husband of 58 years. They were married on September 17th, 1950 and remained steadfast, loving partners until his death in January of 2009. After raising four children, Rosemary went back to school to obtain her teaching credential. She taught second grade for one year and then quickly climbed the ranks in the Live Oak School District, first as a resource specialist and then as an administrator. She obtained her Master's Degree in Education as well as a Doctorate in Education in 1978. "Doctor" Faitos retired from the profession in 1984. In her retirement years, she continued her pursuit of knowledge and new experiences. Rosemary was a skilled computer self-described "geek" long before computers became commonplace. She had one of the first computers available for home use and her children always asked her for advice when they were buying computers for themselves. She was an avid writer and chess player, she followed politics carefully and had strong, informed opinions about world events. In the last few years she became fond of origami, and her home was filled with her beautiful creations. Rosemary and Ernest loved to travel and took several trips to Europe, Canada, and across the US. Rosemary also loved to travel to Kauai with her daughter Susan, which they did annually for many years. In her last few years, Rosemary had a small, close circle of friends that she treasured. Her greatest joy was, and always has been, her family. Nothing was more important to her than her children and her happiest days were when the family was all together. We will miss Mom, and we will remember her for her incredible strength, her intelligence, her sense of humor and her thirst for knowledge. Most of all we will remember her for the love and support she gave to us and those around her. Arrangements are private. Rosemary's family would like to thank Dr. Grace Laurencin and staff for their patience and support. We would also like to thank Juliana Rabanal, Lark Young and Kathy Armstrong for their care and support of our mother.