Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Rosemary Betty Barrientos-Irigoyen
1964 - 2025
FUNERAL HOME
Rosemary Barrientos-Irigoyen Obituary
September 11, 1964 - October 31, 2025
Our beloved Rosemary B. Barrientos-Irigoyen, age 61, passed away on October 31, 2025, after a four-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
She was born on September 11, 1964, in Madison, Wisc., to parents Julian and Betty Barrientos, two Bolivian immigrants.
She met her future husband, Enzo Irigoyen, in Tiawanaku Dance Troupe, a Bolivian folk dance group. They went from dance partners to life partners, getting married in 1999 in Madison. They have two children, Sofia (24) and Sebastian (21) Irigoyen-Barrientos. Rosemary was the embodiment of maternal love and affection. She was a kind, gentle mother and a loving wife; she would do anything for her family. Rosemary graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with her bachelor's degree and completed a Masters in Social Work at UW Madison. For over 29 years, her warm smile illuminated the Student Services office of Vel Philips Memorial High School, where she was their beloved multilingual social worker. She founded the Latinos Unidos club at Memorial High School and coordinated the annual Latino Festival. She was a pillar of inspiration and support for her students and a familiar face in the Latino community. In 2023, Centro Hispano awarded her the Roberto G. Sanchez Award for outstanding leadership and commitment to promoting educational opportunities for Latinos in Dane County. Her legacy runs deep in Madison; she touched many lives with her compassion and empathy. Rosemary's love for life, music, and nature radiated from within. In her free time, she enjoyed picnics at Wingra park, hiking at Devil's Lake, and dancing with her friends. Her resilience and strength shone through even in the toughest moments in her battle with cancer. She cared deeply for every soul-animal and human alike. To know Rosemary is to love her. We will miss her beautiful spirit and warm hugs. Rosemary is survived by her husband, Enzo Irigoyen, to whom she was married for 26 years; her children, Sofia and Sebastian Irigoyen-Barrientos; and their kitty, Nina. Additionally, she is survived by her siblings, Lola (Benjamin) Barrientos Marquez and Norman (Lisa) Barrientos; her sister-in-law, Claudia (Javier) Estrada; her brother-in-law, Marcelo (Jane) Irigoyen; her mother-in-law, Teresa Meneses; and her father-in-law, Jorge Irigoyen. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Rolando (Eydie) Barrientos. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 11 a.m. at Midvale Community Lutheran Church, 4329 Tokay Blvd, Madison, WI 53711. A visitation will precede the service beginning at 10 a.m. at the church. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, November 23, time TBD at Rosemary's home in Madison, Wisc. Updates will be posted to Facebook. A special thanks to the nurses, doctors, and staff at UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center for always taking good care of Rosemary. We love you forever, Mama. Rest in peace.
To view her obituary or leave a memory, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.
Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Legacy Center
6728 Mader Drive
608-274-1000
Memories and Condolences
for Rosemary Barrientos-Irigoyen
Sponsored by Ryan Funeral Home - West Side Chapel - Madison.
3 Entries
Patsy Miller
November 6, 2025
Lolita and Norman, I am so sorry to read of the passing of Rosemary. It appears that she lived a a full and rich life, even tho short. I am sending my sympathy to you and to her family. Patsy Miller
Susanne Evans Byrne
November 5, 2025
Oh such a dear friend Freshman year wouldn´t have been any fun without her. I Met her in Homeroom 137 and 136. They kept changing the number back and forth because the teacher had two rooms. Can´t think of his name, he was in charge of the school store. I spent so much time in that split level home on Segoe Rd practicing my Spanish with her mom. My dad and her dad were business friends, they knew each other before Rosemary and I did. I loved catching up with her at the reunions and on FB. Our world lost a wonderful gal. RIP Rosemary, I´ll never forget you and I´ll always love you, friend and confidant.
Tom Heiss
November 5, 2025
My condolences. I´ve known Rosemary at Blessed Sacrament and West High. She was always an out going and very personal, the world has lost a bright star.
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results
Make a Donation
in Rosemary Barrientos-Irigoyen's name
Memorial Events
for Rosemary Barrientos-Irigoyen
Nov
8
Funeral services provided by:
Ryan Funeral Home - West Side Chapel - Madison5701 Odana Road, Madison, WI 53719
How to support Rosemary's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Rosemary Barrientos-Irigoyen's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
