Dispatch-Argus, The (Moline, IL) - Thursday, February 23, 2017

Rosa Lopez

An angel, Rosa E. Lopez, 63, of Dallas, formerly of Moline, left this world, ending her courageous battle with cancer, Feb. 21, 2017, in Moline, at the home of her sister, Gloria Lopez.

A celebration of her life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at DeRoo Funeral Home, Moline. Father Donald Levitt, pastor of Christ the King Church, Moline, will officiate, and family members will participate in the service. Memorials may be made to a scholarship fund to be established locally.

Rosa was born Aug. 3, 1953, in Moline, the daughter of Valentin and Angela Oliva Lopez.

She graduated from Black Hawk College, Moline, and furthered her education in New York.

Rosa was founder and the executive director of Vecinos Unidos, in West Dallas, a nonprofit organization for low-income housing. She retired in 2016 after 16 years. She was an advocate, activist and inspiration to her community.

She was founder of the Lesbian Latinos De Dallas. Rosa also was the pioneer of making the Bishop Arts District what it is today, with the opening of her ice cream parlor, called Suenos Sabrosos (Sweet Dreams).

She was awarded best cultural dessert in the Arts & Entertainment Division.

Rosa was a member of Dallas LULAC 4871, Dallas Rainbow Council and the Catholic Daughters Association and was awarded the Community Service Award for helping low-income families. LULAC also awarded her the "Se Presta" (she lends), honoring community leaders who have partnered with organizations to make a difference. Her name was also added to the LULAC Scholarship fund in her name and will continue.

Those she left with happy memories include her sisters and brothers-in-law, Maria and Florencio Lopez Animas, Chicago, Gloria Lopez, Moline, Norma and Bill Lemke, East Moline, Rebecca Lopez. Moline, Victoria Lopez, Moline, and Letticia and John Uribe, Moline; and brothers and sister-in-law, David H. Lopez, Moline, and Joe A. and Ann Lopez, Moline. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Rosa Linda; and a brother, Valentin.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at deroofuneralhome.com.