Rosa Maria Alba

Passed away on Tuesday, August 26th, 2014, at home surrounded by loved ones. She was born November 24th to Ana Maria Reyes Higuera and Jose Barrera Portugues in Mexico City, and was the oldest of eight children.

Rosa attended The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints owned school, Centro Escolar Benemerito de las Americas in Mexico and was part of the Primera Generacion (First Generation). She cherished the time she spent there developing friendships that continued through out her life. She graduated from the school with a teaching degree, and began working in the church educational system in Cuidad Juarez. As a child, she dreamed of becoming a teacher. She spent the majority of her life fulfilling that dream teaching-from the age of 18 to the time of her death.

Rosa met her eternal sweetheart, Joel Angel Alba while on his mission in Mexico City. They married on September 6, 1974 in the Salt Lake Temple. Joel and Rosa were inseparable; he was the love of her life, her light, her everything. No two people were more perfect for each other. They built a life together, working side by side as equal partners in everything! They had two children- Areli and Joel, for whom she devoted her life. She never missed her children's performances. Rosa's family, both immediate and extended was the center of her life. Her home was the site of family gatherings that lasted all day

Upon her arrival to the United States, Rosa almost immediately began teaching. She was an educator for 46 years, teaching in the Granite School district for the majority of that time at Millcreek Elementary. Known as Mrs. Alba to all, her creativity was boundless, and showed in her famous: welcome back balloon bulletin boards, teddy bear picnics, Christmas around the world, the Purple Leprechaun Play, School Choirs, amazing everyday lesson plans, and nameless endeavors she took on in her time there. In 1993, she was awarded the Excel Educator of the Year by Granite School District. She loved her job and is lovingly known as Mrs. Millcreek.

She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and loved her Heavenly Father. She attended the Lucero ward and various other Spanish speaking wards serving in various church callings, her favorite of which was Sunday School teacher to the Young Adults. She was always found in the service of others, even to the day she passed. Her primary goal was making sure those around her were taken care of. The lessons she taught by her excellent example will never be surpassed nor forgotten.

She loved to read and would often spend summers in and out of the library. Her love of travel allowed her to visit various parts of Mexico, the United States, and Europe. Her final travel dream was to visit Jerusalem. She loved to shop and was gone for hours while shopping. She was an amazing cook and was famously known for her Flan. She loved music-"Oldies", the Beatles, Elvis, Pedro Infante, Spanish Ballads, but most importantly, she loved to hear her children sing and delighted in their musical talents. She gave confidence to the people who needed it most-although she would make you work for it. Rosa touched so many people in her short time here on Earth. The world is a little dimmer with out her bright light shining.

At the time of her illness, Joel, who never left her side, cared for Rosa. She was the ultimate warrior, she fought valiantly, unwilling to never give up, a trait that defined her whole life. Rosa is survived by her husband, Joel; children, Areli Alba Olsen (John) and Joel Raymundo (Jessica); Five grandchildren: Olivia Areli Olsen, John Lucas Olsen; Luna Jean Pearl Alba, Stella Rosa Lucero Alba and Milana Rosalba Olsen. She is also survived by her Mother Ana Maria Reyes Higuera; Siblings Javier Barrera (Amalia), Porfiria, Neli, Jared, Hiram (Telma), Antonia Diaz (Orlando), Aaron (Veronica); and numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives. Proceeded in death by her father, Jose Barrera Portugues .

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, August 30, 2014 at the Mountain View Stake Center, 2901 West 9000 South, West Jordan. A viewing will be held Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Mountain View Stake Center, and Saturday Morning prior to the service 10:00 – 10:45 AM.

The family would like to thank Dr. Sunil Sharma, Joan Collet, and all of the other angel nurses at the Hunstman Cancer Institute that attended Rosa during her treatment. The family would also like to thank all family and friends that unselfishly provided service, meals, prayers and fasts in her honor. We bid a farewell to The Master Educator. In lieu of flowers Rosa would be honored that you make your donations to the Perpetual Education Fund.

Funeral Home:
Jenkins-Soffe South Valley
1007 W. South Jordan Parkway
South Jordan, UT 84095