Rosa Kendrick

Rosa Drexler Kendrick

December 29, 1941 – May 6, 2025

Rosa Drexler Kendrick, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on May 6, 2025, at the age of 83, after a courageous 18-month battle with lung cancer. Born on December 29, 1941, in Pilsting, Germany, Rosa was the cherished daughter of Josef and Maria Drexler and sister to Josef and Anneliese Drexler, all of whom preceded her in death.

At the age of 11, Rosa immigrated to the United States, where she embraced her new life with courage and determination. She graduated from Danbury High School in Connecticut and later moved to South Florida, where she married and raised her two children, Jennifer Kendrick and Joseph P. Kendrick. Rosa was a devoted mother who instilled in her children a deep respect for education, the arts, and the value of hard work.

A passionate lover of the visual and performing arts, Rosa made it a point to expose her children to Broadway plays, museums, and special exhibitions. Her home was always filled with creativity, warmth, and the laughter of friends and neighbors. Known for her generosity, she often hosted holiday dinners and organized neighborhood gatherings, creating a sense of community wherever she lived.

In her later years, Rosa retired to Oro Valley, Arizona, where she discovered a love for desert hiking through her church group, the Desert Wanderers. She found joy in the rugged beauty of the landscape and the wildlife that visited her yard—birds, snakes, javelinas, and even the occasional bobcat that would nap on her back patio.

Rosa was a doer, a go-getter, always two steps ahead. She had a keen eye for interior design and a talent for transforming thrift store treasures into beautiful pieces for her home. Her resourcefulness, warmth, and vibrant spirit touched everyone who knew her.

She is survived by her children, Jennifer Kendrick (Thom Nickelson) and Joseph P. Kendrick (Katie Kendrick), and her beloved grandchildren, James and Rebecca Kendrick.

Rosa’s life was a testament to resilience, creativity, and kindness. She often met life’s challenges with her signature phrase: “It is what it is.” That simple wisdom reflected her strength, acceptance, and grace.

She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date, to be determined.