Rose Delfina Valine Stubbs (March 22, 1919 to April 30, 2017)

She was born Rose Delfina Valine, but almost everyone called her something else: Mom, Little Rose, Aunt Rose, Tia, Mamacita, The G.  Her nurturing embrace blessed the lives of husband, Ivor, son, Alan, daughter Edith Cole, granddaughters Erin and Stacy, family, friends and even the children at the Salinas, California elementary school where she was a secretary for so many years.
She grew up on a dairy farm outside of Tulare, California, where she lived with her parents, sister Mary (Fernandes), and brothers Carlo and Jack.  The family was a fixture at local dances, fostering her love of music.  She played in her high school band, and later taught herself to play the organ.  In later years she sang in the choir at her residence, and, at age 95, soloed at the wedding of her granddaughter to a standing ovation, which prompted an encore.
She also loved to dance.  After years of trying, she finally persuaded her reluctant Ivor to take up square dancing with the Spindrifters in Salinas.  She line-danced well into her nineties.  She was also an artisan, known for her crafts and handwork.  She leaves behind many wonderful quilts, tattings and cross-stitches for her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends to treasure.
At odds with her otherwise nurturing spirit and warm and wonderful sense of humor was her intense competitiveness at card games.  She was shrewd and focused and liked to win at bridge and rummy.
Later in life she and Ivor fulfilled their travel dreams, notably to the Azores, from which her parents emigrated, and to England from which Ivor's parents came to America.
Although not highly educated, she doggedly pursued her degree from Hartnell Junior College in Salinas.  Perhaps one of her most remarkable achievements was teaching herself sign language. In her nineties she sang a solo with her residence choir, during which she also signed the lyrics.
A child of the Depression and the hardships of the war years, she remained wise and nurturing to all who knew her.  Never any pretension, just hard-earned wisdom, a warmness and love of a good time, and an ear for anyone who needed to share.  She will be missed.  

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