Rosa Ledesma Vasquez

Rosa Mesa Ledesma Vasquez, born in 1917 in Porvenir, Texas to Rosendo Mesa and Benita Flores passed away peacefully at Just Like Home in Sunnyside, Washington on Monday, April 24th  2017. Rosa was the last surviving member of the eight Mesa children born to Rosendo and Benita. Rosa is thought to have been the last remaining direct descendant of the infamous 1917 Porvenir Massacre in which fifteen unarmed Mexican men were gunned down by a company of Texas Rangers.   

Of the fifteen children born to Rosa,  eleven have survived her:  Chavelo (Kathy) Ledesma of Outlook, Washington: Manuel Ledesma of Sunnyside, Washington: Francisco Ledesma of Bethany, Oklahoma: Raquel Carrera (Ruben) of Sunnyside, Washington: Dolores Ledesma of Seattle, Washington: Juan Ledesma (Sandra) of Aberdeen, Washington: Enrique Ledesma (Rosalie Betts) of Sunnyside, Washington: Ramon Ledesma (Kendra) of Sedro Woolley, Washington: Linda Sprague (Gary) of Woodland, Washington: Mario Ledesma (Cheryl) of Richland, Washington, and Arturo Ledesma (Nancy) of Portland, Oregon. Rosa also leaves behind forty-six grandchildren, seventy-one great-grandchildren and twenty-nine great-great-grandchildren.

Rosa spent her formative years in Texas before her family moved to Montana in the late 1930’s. In Montana she met our father Pedro (Juan) Ledesma and together they moved to Toppenish in 1942 and in 1952 bought a small farm in Outlook, Washington to settle and raise us fifteen children.

Rosa was unequaled in her strength of character and unconditional commitment to her extended family. She had a wonderful sense of humor, a quick wit, a sharp tongue, spoke her mind, didn’t suffer fools well but loved and cared for anyone who came wanting to her doorstep. She always said her greatest gift was raising intelligent, strong, compassionate, and successful children who did the same. To say we will miss her is as gross an understatement as can be made. We loved, admired and worshiped the ground she walked on.

Rosa was preceded in death by our father Pedro, our oldest sister, Mary Medrano, our brother Albino, sisters Martha, Rufina,  grandson Michael Ledesma and granddaughter Leighann Parker-Ledesma.   

Viewing and Visitation will be held Friday, April 28, 2017 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home in Sunnyside, WA. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sunnyside, WA. with burial to follow at Outlook Cemetery in Outlook, WA. Those wishing to sign Rosa’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com Smith Funeral Homes in care of arrangements.

To donate by US Mail send your check to:

SHS '72 Scholarship Fund

PO Box 1149

Sunnyside, WA  98944

 Service Information