ROSALIE DESPENZERO PFAU

06/01/1935 - 08/19/2022

Sadly, Rosalie passed away on August 19, 2022. She was preceded in death by her only sibling, Robert Despenzero, and is survived by her husband Donald Pfau, son Kenneth Pfau and his wife Laila, daughter Donna Pfau Grimm and her husband Michael, her beloved grandchildren Audrey Pfau Gonzalez (and husband Benny), Kyle Pfau, Carson Grimm and Andrew Grimm.

In 1957 while Rosalie was working as a secretary for Shell Oil Company in New Orleans, she was met by Donald Pfau, an engineer just assigned to that office who quickly realized she was the love of his life. A marriage of over 64 years began in May 1958, and Rosalie and Don were blessed with their two children while continuing to live in New Orleans until moving to Houston in 1980. In addition to being a wonderful mother through those years, Rosalie also tenderly nurtured many other children during several years as a preschool teacher.

A person of boundless energy and personality, Rosalie resumed pre-school teaching along with her family duties for the first few years in Houston. After college and marriage their children’s careers carried them to other places at times, including some exotic overseas locations. However, much to Rosalie’s delight, all of the grandchildren were born in the Houston area and she was thrilled to be present at the delivery of three of them. Each grandchild then lived all or most of their pre-college years here, allowing attendance at their scholastic and athletic events plus family gatherings. Each of those was precious to Rosalie, and each grandchild had a special place in her heart.

Rosalie also devoted her natural interpersonal skills and resourcefulness to civic activities, including having served several years as president of a neighborhood homeowners association. She was very active in the Cypress Woodlands Chapter of Junior Forum, doing charitable work for over 15 years. There she was honored as the Volunteer Of The Year in 2010. Rosalie thoroughly enjoyed the projects in which she participated or led, but even more she treasured the deep and enduring friendships which evolved. Throughout her life Rosalie quickly developed friends wherever she went, and friendships from Junior Forum continued undiminished after her tenure there.

Her family deeply appreciates the outpouring of comfort and support received from friends and neighbors. A celebration of life honoring our lovely Rosalie will be held at an undetermined future date. She is sorely missed and will be loved and cherished forever by her husband, children and grandchildren.