Rose Irene Hirsch

November 14, 1960 - June 18, 2019

Rose Irene Ortega later to be Hirsch was born to Servando and Rose Ortega. She was their 4th child and only girl. Her family always referred to her as Irene. Her father named her for the song “I will see you in my dreams Irene.” Rose Irene grew up in a large loving family and especially shared a strong bond with her father. Rose Irene loved her Dad with strong admiration and they cutely would refer to each other as sweet pea and Popeye. Rose Irene loved her brothers and always wanted to be around them, even if they didn’t want their little sister tagging along. But her persistent personality preserved and she was “one of the guys” on their numerous adventures. Rose Irene grew up a in large Hispanic family many of whom lived down the block from her childhood home. Her childhood was accompanied by grand family parties celebrating every holiday, graduation, wedding, baptism, you name it. The Ortega family was a strong bunch that were devoted to one another. This is where Irene developed a sense of community and the importance of family, family meant the world to Irene and this planted the seed for the importance to start her own family on day. As Rose began to grow into a very “cute” teenager at the age of 14 she experienced her first of many challenges. She was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes (Type 1), she would tell me the scary days in the hospital as she learned how to give her self-injections while practicing on an orange. But even through difficulties, she was very outgoing and participated in many high school clubs and activities; gaining lifelong friends to this day, I met Rose in college through our Sigma Nu Fraternity. Rose was a little sister, and lady of the white rose with our fraternity. We had our first date December 5, 1980 at the warehouse restaurant in Marina del Ray, and got engaged one year later at the same restaurant. I got down on one knee and she said “yes”. I was not going to let her get away. I knew I was way out of my league and definitely marry up. I soon learned, Rose was as talented and creative as anyone. Taking after her father, she had handy skills that I lack today. Rose would help her Dad on various projects including building an enormous Palapa! But her skills didn’t stop there, she designed and sewed her own wedding dress which was also part of her final project before graduating with a degree in Home Economics in 1982. A few months later, on 9/11/1982, we got married. We took our Honeymoon in Hawaii and got our first apartment in South Pasadena and later purchased a condo in Monrovia. Unfortunately, Rose faced another challenge, a brain tumor had to be removed which left hear deaf in one ear. But as the Rose we all knew, she kept on going with a smile. That smile grew even bigger in 1987, not because we bought our first house, but because of the birth of our first born, Ryan Anthony Hirsch. Rose was wonderful mother; she wanted every chance to raise Ryan and took a sabbatical from teaching. She took Ryan to every Mommy and me class; making sure Ryan was perfectly dressed! Rose made sure Ryan had the right foundation and value and it shows in the man he is today. Rose chronicled every moment in Ryan’s childhood, that we still enjoy today. In 1991, our second child was born, Reilly Austin Hirsch. Though, Reilly was a surprise…..no not that kind of surprise….but we had no idea of his gender until birth. Rose was hoping for a girl but she got a boy! She was ecstatic, nonetheless! After the birth of Reilly, we learned that 15+ year of diabetes, her kidneys were showing signs of not functioning properly. But as before…. Rose was not deterred and chose to not let anyone know. Rose continued raising 2 boys, throwing the best birthday parties on the block, crafting, and allowed me to progress in my career. Eventually, the boys got older and Rose went back to teaching and to this day is known as the best teacher Magnolia Elementary ever had!! Her students kept in touch with her even as they graduated college. Even with going back to work, she never missed a beat, she became team mom, group leader…you name it she was there for her boys! Rose loved this time of her life, being a mom and being a teacher Unfortunately, in 2001, her passion for teaching was taken from her. Due to new pain she was forced into medical retirement. But the positive was her teaching salary went to boy’s college fund which helped both boys graduate college debt free. And at the end of it all, she did not allow her retirement slow her down with the boys. She even put the hard hat on and became the general contractor when we remodeled our home. Rose always yearned to travel... we were able to take care of a few bucket list trips between our 25th and 35th anniversaries. We were able to spend 2+ weeks in: Italy; England, France, Germany, and Spain. A bit of her wanderlust has rubbed off on Ryan, who has become quite the world traveler. In 2010 we left our home in Upland to a model home we had our eye on for years. Rose’s keen eye for decorating has made this house OUR home. Our boys are now all graduated from College, Ryan is on the East Coast, and Reilly is in Southern California, and Rose continues to guide them with only the Wisdom a mother can give. The past year has given Rose her ultimate challenge, as we know God only gives us what we can handle, so I am quite sure that Rose has a special arrangement with our father, as she has had to overcome cataracts, low blood sugar and low Blood pressure, numerous broken bones, 15+ hours a week of dialysis, and a 3 day comma over her 58th B-day. With all these cards stacked against her she still remained strong right to the end. She hosted her friends to a garden party, and made sure that I would have a Father’s Day to remember. Rose was a special person whose candle has burned too fast, she leaves us to be with her Dad, and she is finally pain free. We are very sad that we have no more time to walk the path of life with her, but her job is done here, she raised two fine boys, and she leaves a husband who finally understands all will be good if I would just listen to her. Rose Irene..... we will be sad, we will never forget you.....but we will be ok.