It is with the heaviest of hearts that we say goodbye to our Mother, Grandma, Grams, Grammie, Great Grandma and Great-Great Grandma Rosa Kingsley. Rosa decided that her time on earth was complete and went to be with her true love Bob, on Friday, November 11, 2022 in Cold Lake, Alberta at the wonderful age of 96 years.
Rosa was born in Ganges, British Columbia to parents Motosuke and Tsuru Baba, originally of Hiroshima, Japan on May 15th, 1926.
Once of age, Rosa joined the R.C.A.F as the first Japanese Canadian Woman allowed to serve in the forces. During a tour in Germany, she met and fell in love with Robert I. Kingsley; they were married on July 17, 1954. Just over a year later they added to their new little family with a daughter, Rosa-Jean on October 10, 1955 in Zweibrücken, Germany. After the birth of Rosa-Jean, Rosa retired from active duty.
After returning to Canada, they settled in Grand Center, AB where they welcomed their son Robert on June 8, 1960 at the R.C.A.F Station in Cold Lake. After Robert was born, Rosa worked for the DND on the military base of the CFB Medley as a civilian until she fully retired in the early 1990's.
Rosa and Bob loved to hook up their trailer and do as much sight-seeing as they could; they took cross country trips across Canada to see all their family. They traveled the United States and even up to Yellowknife
After Bob's passing in 2008, Rosa continued her weekly bowling sessions and was an active church member. She thoroughly enjoyed knitting, crocheting, playing in monthly cribbage tournaments or playing solitaire, whether it was with cards or on the iPad in later years. She has an enormous love of reading; wherever she went she always made sure she had a book in hand.
Rosa fiercely loved her family and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and then her great grandchildren. Her family knew how much they were loved by her, and they each will carry their own very special memories of her in their hearts.
Rosa will be lovingly remembered and never forgotten by her daughter: Rosa-Jean; son: Robert (Marcia); six granddaughters: Kimiko (Dan), Crystal (Brad), Melissa (Kevin), Alexis (Barry), Stacie and Sarah; 9 great grandchildren: Brooke (Kent), Dade, Sieanna, Raiden, Braden, Kaleb, Dimitri, Kinuko and Dante; 1 great-great granddaughter: Hazel; 2 sister's-in-law: Rosie Baba & Jean Kingsley; along with many nieces and nephews.
Rosa was predeceased by the love of her life of 54 precious years: Bob; her parents: Motosuke & Tsuru Baba; siblings: Tosh, Steven, Masao, Myoko, Toshko, Marge; great grandson: Deni.
A private family gathering has taken place.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200-325 Manning Road NE, Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 or a Charity of One's Choice.
"The Light Remains...there are some who bring a light so great to this world that even after they have gone the light remains shining ever so brightly"
~ Respectfully submitted by Rosa's family
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