Rosa Suess Spence

Rosa was born on May 9, 1934, in Karlsruhe, Germany, to Herman Suess and Mina Rosa Becht. She lived through World War II in Germany. It was on her 11th birthday received word of V-E Day—Victory in Europe.

In 1950, Rosa immigrated to the United States with her mother; her father followed in 1951. They first arrived in Brooklyn, New York, staying briefly with an aunt who told them to go sit on the steps of the Salt Lake Temple and someone would take care of them. Soon after, they moved to Salt Lake City, where a missionary they knew helped the family get settled. Rosa attended Granite High School, graduating in 1952, and earned her teaching degree from the University of Utah in 1955.

Rosa was truly ahead of her time—well traveled, adventurous, and fiercely independent. She went camping with roommates, moved around the world, and taught German at Granite High School before teaching in Sacramento, California; Portland, Oregon; and English at military schools in England and Japan. Her travels took her to Turkey, Israel, Egypt, Mexico, and beyond. She spent the majority of her teaching career as a Spanish teacher at Workman High School and retired from Wilson High School. After retirement, she served her community through several West Covina groups, cared devotedly for her husband, cherished time with her grandchildren, and continued traveling whenever possible, including trips to Alaska, China, and Hawaii.

Rosa met her sweetheart, Ron, during a summer program for German teachers at BYU in 1962. They dated, became engaged, and then—un-engaged. The first time they saw each other after Ron broke off the engagement was at the top of Mount Timpanogos, where Rosa threw rocks at him. Eventually, they rekindled their romance and were married on June 21, 1965, in the Salt Lake City Temple. Rosa moved from Portland, Oregon, to West Covina, California, where Ron had purchased the home they would live in for 58 years. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past summer.

For more than 30 years, Rosa was also an Avon Lady. While she may not have been a savvy businesswoman—often giving generous discounts and buying extras. Avon was less about sales and more about connection, kindness, and showing up for people. Rosa was endlessly generous with both her time and her gifts, always more concerned with helping others than helping herself.

Rosa was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her parents joined the Church in Germany in the 1920s, and her father served as ward leader three times. Rosa often traveled alongside him as he spoke at conferences. She had a firm testimony of Jesus Christ and served in numerous callings throughout her life, including Relief Society and Primary president. She was an exceptional visiting teacher, getting in doors others couldn’t. Her life was defined by service, faith, and pound cakes, which she always brought along and so she wouldn't go empty handed.

Rosa is survived by her daughters, Jennifer Spence and Kathryn Cecil (Jamey); her eight grandchildren: Taylor Carpenter, McKenzie Mann (Sam), Carson Carpenter, Nathanael Spence, Reagan Haig (David), James Cecil, Julia Cecil, and Ethan Cecil; her great-grandchildren, Pierce Emmett Mann and Kaia Rose Macasaet, who was loving named in her honor; and three of her beloved cats. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ron, and her son, Michael Herman Spence.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at the Woodside Ward Chapel, 1307 South Orange Avenue, West Covina, California. Interment will take place after the service at Rose Hills Cemetery; there will not be a viewing.

Zoom Information 9:30 PT

https://zoom.us/j/96055206548?pwd=yKHXZWNecRTjEZdsaGVxJYqddlRC6y.1

A graveside service will be held at Rose Hills Memorial Park, located at 3888 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, California, 90601, on January 17, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Rosa Suess Spence will be laid to rest at Rose Hills Memorial Park in the Deseret Lawn section, row 8, lot 1043, space 2. The burial is scheduled for January 15, 2026.