Rosa “Rosita” Latimer, a longtime resident of Montclair, died peacefully at home on May 4, 2024. She was 91.
Mrs. Latimer was born in Barcelona, Spain, in 1932. She lived through the late stages of the Spanish Civil War with her two sisters, Maria Josepha and Monserrat, and her parents, Pedro Vilardell and Emilia Vilardell Berenguer. She lived in Barcelona and spent summers at the family cottage in Moià, Spain.
She was an unconventional, young Catalan woman. She insisted on riding her bicycle hands-free and went spelunking in the Caves of Toll with her friends. She studied languages and the arts.
In the mid 1950s Mrs. Latimer met her future husband, Roberto Latimer, a medical student at the University of Barcelona. They were married in 1955 in Barcelona. Their sons George and Peter were born there; Edward and Charles were born later, in Montclair, which she called home for 54 years.
In her late 40s she matriculated at Montclair State University, where she majored in psychology with a minor in art. She graduated summa cum laude in 1982, with only one B, in statistics. She was fluent in four languages.
Mrs. Latimer was always involved in her children’s development, insisting they be exposed to travel, music and the arts. She constantly gave of herself to her loved ones, especially her grandchildren, Daniel, Andrea, Brian, Gabriella, Olivia and Charlie Jr., and daughters-in-law Tracy and Isabelle.
She was loving, kind, generous and patient mom. She was a fabulous chef, regularly cooking without recipes. At the family table, dinner regularly consisted of comfort foods, like paella and chicken croquettes, as well as a sampling of more adventurous foods from around the world.
She loved her garden, painting, birds and her feral cat, Bella. She remained connected to her family and friends in Barcelona daily. She loved to entertain and host family at the “Hotel Latimer.”
Up until three months before she died, Mrs. Latimer prepared meals daily and climbed the stairs of a seven-bedroom home every day. She was a force, and a powerful woman.
Visitation is Saturday, May 11, from noon to 2 p.m. at Caggiano Memorial Home for Funerals, 62 Grove St., with a memorial service beginning at 2.
The family would appreciate memorial donations in lieu of flowers to the Sierra Club, sierraclub.org, or to the World Wildlife Fund, worldwildlife.org.