On October 18, 2024, my brother, Joe Evangelista, lost his beautiful wife, Rosa, unexpectedly after discovering she had lung cancer which had reached stage 4 undetected. Their first indication was when cancer lesions were found on her brain through an MRI following a fall. After the discovery, the doctors remained optimistic that she would recover with various combined treatments, but after only 6 weeks, she was gone. She was 63 years old. They were never told to get their affairs in order and we are all still in shock. I have started this fundraiser to help with the unexpected costs of cremation, interment and the transportation costs for doctor and hospital visits where she received treatment, which total about $7,800. Anything collected over that amount will go towards other debts accumulated in caring for Rosa.

Any amount you’d like to contribute would be greatly appreciated. Every penny will help at this difficult time.

With her passing, he has lost so much. They were married for 24 years, together for 26. Here is an excerpt from Joe’s tribute to Rosa that was posted on Facebook:

“Rosa was a force of pure passion, and for me a true gift from God. I have never met anyone like her, with so massive a heart, so strong a strength and so great a capacity for love. She was smart and clever and insightful and funny, with a magical laugh that was known around the world. Everyone I knew loved her, for she spread joy and happiness wherever she went. She was also an amazing cook – for the first two years of our marriage she made a different dish every night – and I felt like I was living in a restaurant. She made bread twice a week and always inscribed a love note in the top. She had the heart of an innocent child in the skin of a warrior princess tough as nails... She opened my heart to love and beauty and made me a better person.

I don’t want life without you and wish I could come to you now. But I will follow your example, grieve and go forward attentive to what the Lord has in store, in the faith that one day I will wake to the aroma of your fresh-baked bread and know that I am finally home again with you.”

Thank you in advance for your support.

Sincerely,

Diane Miller