Rose Elia Lineweaver

1942 - 2011

Beloved wife of John Lineweaver of Alamo, CA, passed away suddenly on September 3, 2011. She truly left us too soon at the age of 68. Rose was born in Acambaro, Mexico on October 26, 1942, to Ninfa Garcia and Cristobal Martinez, and was the youngest of 14 children. At age 5, her mother brought her to the United States, and she became a naturalized citizen in 1961.
Her mother remarried in 1947, and she became the adoring step-daughter of Paul Martinez. Rose attended Old St. Mary's Grammar School in West Oakland, and graduated from Oakland High School in 1961. She worked for 19 years for the County of Alameda, many of which were at Highland Hospital as a medical assistant and translator. Her stories of her work at Highland were well-told and hilarious, and if you ever asked her a question about health matters, she would pronounce knowingly "I used to work in the medical field!" She was usually correct with her answers!
Rose gave birth to 5 children between 1962 and 1976, and in 1969 also adopted 5 of her biological nephews after the tragic death of her brother, Javier. Rose married John Lineweaver in 1981, and became the loving mother of John's son Peter. Rose gave birth to Danny Lineweaver in 1981. They subsequently adopted Jimmy Lineweaver in 1987, completing a family of 13.
Danny Lineweaver suffered a tragic baby crib accident in 1984 at the age of 23 months, from which he eventually died in 1993. Rose's life was forever impacted and altered by Danny's injury and subsequent death. From this tragedy, however, Rose and John formed The Danny Foundation for Crib and Child Product Safety. In its 20 years of international activity, The Danny Foundation created the safety regulations which defined, for the first time, how U.S. crib makers should manufacture cribs, and forced, badgered and litigated industry and the government into radical, but necessary, changes in the design, advertising, inspection, use and sale of cribs, leading to the salvation of untold thousands of infants. For her life-saving efforts, Rose was awarded The Jefferson Award in 2006, as well as several listings in the Congressional Record, and the receipt of personal letters of thanks from The White House, from Members of Congress and from Members of the Legislatures of 7 states where crib safety legislation was passed, as well as many other accolades.
However, her efforts with The Danny Foundation paled in comparison to her work as a mother. Her true legacy is her exceptional family of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and her many in-laws. In addition to her husband, John, she is survived by 12 children-Javier (Evelia), Alfredo, Eileen (Clark), Carlos (Margarita), Willie, Peter (Lea), Andy (Amber), Luis, Eddie, Rick (Tarah), Mike (Gena) and Jimmy. She is the proud grandmother of 27, and the joyful great-grandmother of 13. Nearly all live locally, so holidays-and many impromptu gatherings-were always a world-class event! Rose was also survived by many nieces and nephews who were like siblings to her, and scores of other loving relatives and friends.
Rose was predeceased by many whom she adored, including her beloved son Danny (1993), her mother, Ninfa (1987) her father Cristobal (1965), her step-father Paul (1983), her mother-in-law Peggy (1993) and her father-in-law, Hans Lineweaver, of whom she took great care, in 2009 at the age of 101.
Rose had the grace and subtle charm that would calm a cacophony of terrorists, merely by entry into a room, and immediately applying hugs to all, flashing her ever-present smile and exuding her unwavering and unconditional love. As her children would attest her mantra was, "Have you had enough water?" If you were thirsty, she would have you drink water. If you were hungry, she would have you drink water. If you were angry, she would have you drink water. And you always had to have fruit after the water.
We were all nurtured by Rose, and her memory will continue to sustain and nurture us forever. She will unquestionably rest in a well-deserved peace, together with her Danny, her Mother and Fathers, and her legion of admirers.
In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to the Kids in Danger Foundation (www.kidsindanger.org), a successor to The Danny Foundation, at 116 W. Illinois St., Suite 5E, Chicago IL 60610. Rose's life will be celebrated with a Rosary and Memory Sharing on Fri, 9/9 starting at 7:30pm at St. Isidore Church, Danville CA. Her funeral will follow on Sat, 9/10 at St. Isidore at 10:00am, followed by her internment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Lafayette. Visitation will also be held Thursday, 9/8, from 4:00-9:00pm at OAK PARK HILLS CHAPEL, 3111 N. Main St., Walnut Creek, CA. Express condolences at www.oakparkhillschapel.com

OAK PARK HILLS CHAPEL
(925) 934-6500