Rosemary "Rosie" Meser Azevedo

Rosemary “Rosie” Meser Azevedo passed away in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on September 29, 2024. She was born to the late Valada Meser and Charles Meser on August 30, 1942. For everyone who knew her and especially for those she loved, the world became much more beautiful.

When she was very young, Rosie demonstrated a talent for women’s fashion design. She designed elaborate dress patterns, chose glamorous fabrics, and sewed beautiful wardrobes for a collection of Toni dolls that belonged to her and her younger sister, Jane. Fashion remained a passion of hers her entire life as she was always impeccably dressed. Rosie even spent time as a runway model in South Florida as a young adult, and her figure was used by dress designers for determining the fit for the “perfect size 8” during the 1960’s.

She began her young adult life as a newlywed at age 18 on November 26, 1960, and became a mom when she was just 19 years old. She spent her first 12 years as an adult focusing on crafting a fabulous, designer-worthy house and creating an idyllic, loving home for her two children. Also a gifted hostess, she threw many parties for her family, even a wedding reception for her younger sister Susan. Christmas was her favorite holiday and she channeled her gifts for design in decorating her home for the holiday every year with stylistic sophistication. Every year the family’s Christmas tree was a show stopper, with each ornament specifically placed, lights and garland perfectly distributed, and gifts exquisitely wrapped. It was like stepping into the Christmas edition of House Beautiful.

When the economic crisis of the seventies impacted her family’s finances, Rosie turned in her country club membership for a banking career at American Savings and Loan where she quickly became recognized for her management skills and ability to build profitable business relationships for the savings and loan as a commercial lender. She was the first woman promoted to management and eventually managed the largest branch in the South Florida region. After achieving success in the financial world, she recognized she wanted to return to more aesthetic pursuits and was retained by the Savings and Loan to design the interiors of their South Florida branches.

Rosie also took on the role as Nana, as she was a dedicated, loving grandmother. Nothing brought her more joy than showering her grandchildren with love. Trips to Disney World were a big highlight, and weekends at Nana’s house were the best memories for all of her grandchildren. Delicious food, crafts, baking, building forts, superheroes, woodland warriors, “dinner and a show” along with numerous other adventures were joys to her!

More than anything, Rosie’s beauty emanated spiritually from within her. She loved God and followed the simple religion professed by the Dalai Lama: “Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is Kindness.” She began each day with this in her mind and in her heart, practicing the religion daily by showing others the beauty of her kindness. She shared this spiritual beauty with everyone she knew. Her closest friends and family were the largest benefactors of her kindnesses. For many years she remained dedicated to helping others find a similar peace, teaching the 12 steps to many members of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Rosie’s spirituality especially deepened as she progressed with aphasia related to Alzheimer's. She braved the related frustrations heroically with patience, resolve, and a determinedly kind nature no matter the situation. Rosie passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love and light.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 63 years, Edward, who passed just 91 days before her. They are together again. Also preceding her in death include her brother, Joseph Meser; and her sister, Julie Burns. She is survived by her daughters, Julie Musolino (Andrew) and Jeanne Doherty (Timothy); her grandchildren, Taylor Manion, Connor Manion, Jack Doherty and Katherine Doherty; her step-grandchildren, Tara and Drew Musolino; and her sisters, Jane Simeone, Susan Kay Goff, Kathie Andraza.

There will be no service at her request. She wanted to move on to the next phase of her journey, and so she did. Fly high, Mom!

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, https://t2t.org/, or Trellis Supportive Care, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston Salem at https://www.trellissupport.org/content/ways-give.

Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is assisting the Azevedo family.