Wanda Echevarria Rosen Ph.D.

1943 - 2021

June 9, 1943 - March 22, 2021 Wanda Echevarria Rosen was an incredible wife, mom, grandma, Peace Corps volunteer, social worker, gardener and psychologist. After a courageous battle with cancer, she passed away on March 22, 2021, with her family by her side.The daughter of Cesarina Hererra and sister of Joan Turmel, Wanda grew up in both New York and Puerto Rico. She was the first person in her family to go to college, graduating from Florida State University. After college, Wanda started her career of helping others, volunteering to go to Bolivia for the Peace Corps. She spent two years living in the harsh environment of the mines to help the lives of indigenous people. She met the love of her life, Sy Rosen, in an elevator in Florida. She asked him if he wanted to hear his horoscope from the magazine she was holding. She was very proud of that bold, first move, starting what would turn out to be a 49 year love story. Driving away from their wedding site, Wanda took the wheel because Sy could not drive stick. She 'took the wheel' a lot during their marriage. Together they moved around the country, finally settling in Encino, California.Wanda went on to receive her PhD in psychology while still managing to be a wonderful wife and mom. She gave everything to her patients, helping and saving countless lives because of her devotion and care. At this time, and many, many times throughout her life, she would have certainly reminded us to please use her well deserved title of Dr.Dr. Wanda Rosen is survived by her loving husband Sy, their daughter Katie Rosen Kitchens (husband Daniel Kitchens), her two beautiful granddaughters Summer and Sienna, her sister Joan and many nieces, nephews and cousins.Wanda was immensely proud of her family. She was the kind of mom that all moms want to be. A 'don't let them push you around' kind of mom. An 'it's ok to be sad' kind of mom. A kind of mom that hangs dozens of hand-painted and glittered record covers from the ceiling to create the perfect 11th birthday. A 'don't let the bozos get you down' kind of mom. The kind of mom that gives you the confidence to chase after your dreams and live life to the fullest.Wanda excelled at growing roses and every other kind of plant and flower in her beautiful garden. She knew the definition and how to spell every word in the dictionary. Wanda had a knack for interior design and making any space feel warm and beautiful. She had a great, big laugh and nothing made her laugh harder or more often than Sy. She loved reading, running, baking, dancing with Sy, roller skating with Katie, coloring with Summer and Sienna, chatting with her sister Joan, her niece Nora and her cousin Vilma, watching Bravo and Scandinavian murder mysteries, travelling around the world, listening to The Gypsy Kings, Mozart and Carly Simon, cilantro, extra crispy bacon, and "borrowing" magazines from doctors' waiting rooms. But by far, her greatest enjoyment was simply spending time with her family.A digital celebration of Wanda's life will be held on Saturday, April 3rd, 2021 at 11am PST. Please join the virtual tribute on zoom here: https://fabfitfun.zoom.us/j/98963479807