Rosa Gonzalez Scheyett, of Southern Pines, NC, passed away on March 26th after a brief and brave battle with cancer.
Rosa was born on August 28th, 1932 to Silvestre and Bienvenida Gonzalez in Lares, Puerto Rico. She studied biology, first at the University of Puerto Rico and then at Roanoke College in Roanoke VA, graduating at the age of 18. She then earned an advanced degree in Physical Therapy from the Medical College of Virginia, now part of Virginia Commonwealth University.
While at the Medical College she met the love of her life, Walter Scheyett, and they married on October 4, 1953. They lived in Glen Burnie, MD and had two daughters, Anna Marie and Juanita Marie.
Rosa had a long and successful career as a physical therapist, and also provided trainings and taught courses on the topic, specializing in therapy for the back. She practiced in Virginia, Maryland, and later in Michigan.
After retiring, Rosa and Walter moved to Traverse City, MI, where they loved the beautiful scenery and the outdoor activities. They enjoyed travel, and Rosa also spent much of her time painting in oils. She painted many beautiful still lifes and landscapes, and exhibited her work on occasion in local art shows. She took great pride in her art, but her greatest joy was as a wife, mother, and grandmother to her three grandchildren Nora, Amanda, and Adrian.
Rosa and Walter moved to Pinehurst and then Southern Pines, NC over 20 years ago, enjoying the golf, the weather, and the wonderful friends they made, particularly in the Midlands community. In 2019 they moved to Pine Knoll at St. Joseph of the Pines, where they made many additional friends and always appreciated the kindness of the staff.
Rosa’s warm and sweet disposition was loved by everyone who met her, and she will be deeply missed.
Rosa is predeceased by her parents. Her beloved husband of 69 years Walter died two days following her death. She is survived by her sister, Wilma Lluberas and brother, Juan Gonzales; her two children, Anna Scheyett (Stephen Lay) and Juanita McCarron; and her three grandchildren, Nora Simmons (Drew Miller), Amanda (Sawyer) Lay-Walters, and Adrian Cheng.
A joint memorial mass for Colonel and Mrs. Scheyett will be celebrated in the Chapel of Pine Knoll at St. Joseph of the Pines on April 15th at 2:00 pm. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Online condolences may be made at www.BolesFuneralHome.com
Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.
