Rosa Angelica Gaitan

Rosa Angelica Gaitan
1942 - 2026

It is with profound sadness that Felipe, Danilo and Lissette announce the passing of their beloved mother, Rosa Angelica Gaitan. Rosa, or more familiarly Angelita, passed shortly after midnight on January 31, 2026 at the Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital. Lissette held her hand, prayed*, read three poems** and reminisced with her during her final hours, until she took her final gentle breath. Both Felipe and Danilo also spoke with her while she was in the hospital. All three siblings are devastated by her passing.

Angelita, a Nicaragua-American New Yorker, was born and raised in Managua, Nicaragua in 1942. She survived much of the tragic history of her homeland, including a devastating earthquake, a severe hurricane and the onset of a civil war. She guided her children through all of this and made the difficult decision of emigrating with her boys, later followed by Lissette, to New York City and safety.

Creating a new life for herself and her children in the late 1970’s, Angelita worked tirelessly to provide for her family while always keeping a home filled with love, music and smiles. Friends were always welcome and kindness always served. In later years, as a caregiver and nurse aide, Angelita provided compassionate and loving care to many Seniors in New York City. Throughout her life, Angelita found much joy in the Art, Culture and Diversity of New York City, with Central Park as her favourite place.

Angelita, like her own mother, was a source of inspiration, catholic faith, compassion, love, strength and selflessness. 

Angelita was on what was supposed to be the first of many lengthy visits to her daughter and son-in-law’s home in Canada. Although illness overtook her quickly, she was surrounded by the love of her family until the end. In addition to her children and their respective companions and spouses (Rosy, Michelle and Peter), Angelita is also mourned by her Granddaughter Miah, Step-Grandchildren John, Kathleen and Marie, as well as family and friends in the United States, Nicaragua, Canada, Argentina and other parts of the World.

Angelita was predeceased by her parents, Enrique Gaitan and Francisca Abelard Lopez de Gaitan, and many loving
relatives and friends.

Deepest appreciation to Doctors and Nurses at the Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital and Staff at the Alan
R. Barker Funeral Home & Chapel. 

In lieu of flowers, donations to Central Park Conservancy or The Statue of Liberty—Ellis Island Foundation would be appreciated.

Celebration(s) of Angelita’s Life will be held at a later date. . .

[*] Angelita’s favourite psalm, Psalm 23: A Psalm of David : (Salmo 23: Salmo de David). 

[**] Angelita’s favourite poems by Rubén Darío, Nicaraguan Poet, were Canción de Otoño en Primavera (Song of Autumn in the Springtime), A Margarita Debayle (To Margarita Debayle) and Lo fatal (Fatal).

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