Rosa Maria Borba

Rosa Maria Borba, dog lover, queen to the people, and true connoisseur of humor and wit passed away in her home on May 3, 2015. She was 56 years old. She was born in the Azores to parents Joao and Maria Rosa Borba. At ten years old, she and her family moved from the Azores to Watsonville, CA where she laid her roots for 46 years. Rosa was a fun loving carefree spirit, seemingly from birth. Her radiant energy was infectious, her sense of humor made us laugh and she greeted everyone with a welcoming smile. She's best described as one of those tough, no nonsense. foxy lady characters straight out of a Charlie's Angel's episode. In her younger years, she could be seen speeding around town in her white Camero, rocking that blue eye shadow and bell bottom jeans like nobody's business. Her nieces and nephews were in awe of her. She was the epitome of cool. Rosa was the most honest, down to earth person that most people have ever encountered. She was a spit-fire and told it like it was. You could always depend on her for the truth, even if it hurt but she was right there to hug you if you needed it. She was completely selfless and ferociously protective of the people she loved. She had an enormous and courageous heart. We should let Rosa's life serve as an example of the true meaning of the richness of family, friendship and good old fashioned happiness. Rosa was an avid bowler, completing in many bowling tournaments and was, of course, a trophy winner. In her earlier years, she could always be found at Cabrillo Lanes (The Bowl as she referred to it), not only because she loved to bowl, but she also worked there as a bartender for many years. Cabrillo Lanes is the place where she met and fell in love with the love of her life, Mike. She also worked at Taylor's Hot Dogs for many years and the Watsonville Community came to know her and love her. She will always be remembered as "the hot dog lady" and she would really have liked that. She had many long time friends. She enjoyed going to barbecues, birthday parties and weddings; any chance to see friends and spend time with them. Her favorite thing to do was to go home after a long day at work and spend time with her dogs who she loved so much. She has one son, Shawn, whom she adored. The shine of love that she had for him could be seen for miles. That brightness will surround him for eternity. Rosa was preceded in death by her parents, Joao and Maria Borba and two brothers, Antonio and Jose Borba. She is survived by her beloved son Shawn Gourley, her husband Mike Chavera, mother-in-law Mary Chavera, two sisters Fatima Loy and Mary Van Brunt, one brother Clint Borba, 8 nieces, 4 nephews, one godson and lastly, her loving dogs Barney and Pebbles. A Funeral Mass is scheduled Wednesday May 13 at 10am at Valley Catholic Church with the burial to follow at Valley Public Cemetery. Mehl's Colonial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.