Rosa Maria Baruk

Rosa Maria Baruk, 61, of São João de Corveira, Portugal, passed away peacefully on October 15th, 2024, in Cincinnati, Ohio, following a courageous battle with plasma cell leukemia.

Born in 1963 to Benedito and Celeste Santos, Rosa immigrated to the United States at the age of four. She grew up in Ludlow, Massachusetts, where she attended Ludlow High School before earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing from Bay Path University. She later pursued her MBA at Western New England University. Rosa’s insatiable curiosity and love of learning were constants throughout her life, and she was proud to be the first in her family to go to college. During her time at Bay Path, she also played volleyball.

Rosa began her distinguished career at the United States Treasury Department’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. She later served as the Advertising and Public Relations Manager at Big Y Foods before joining Morgan Stanley, where she rose to the position of Assistant Vice President and Regional Compliance Officer for the Northeast, overseeing more than 45 offices—all before the age of 35. Despite her many remarkable professional achievements, Rosa’s most cherished roles were those of a loving wife and devoted mother.

Rosa and her husband, Peter, shared 34 wonderful years of marriage. Together, they raised three children—Katherine, Alexander, and Pierce—whom she adored and took great pride in. Her children’s accomplishments brought her immense joy. 

A gifted writer, Rosa authored over 600 poems across various genres, including her self-coined category of “Spiritual Darkness.” Her Catholic faith was a cornerstone of her life, and one of her most treasured honors was receiving the prestigious Confraternity of Christian Doctrine Award (Pope Pius X).

Rosa’s love for animals, particularly cardinals, blue jays, and her beloved dog Riley, was profound. She was an avid reader and enjoyed watching movies and shows with her family. Her laughter was infectious, and her sense of humor brightened every room she entered. She loved to converse and was as passionate about listening to others as she was about sharing her thoughts. Rosa made friends everywhere she went—she was kind, vibrant, and full of life. Her energy and spirit will be remembered forever.

Rosa was preceded in death by her father, Benedito Santos, and her dog, Riley. She is survived by her devoted husband, Peter; their three children—Katherine, Alexander, and Pierce; her mother, Celeste Santos; and her siblings—Antonio, Clara, Lina, and Bernadette Santos.

Though we mourn her loss, we celebrate the remarkable life Rosa lived and the countless ways she touched our hearts. Her legacy of love, kindness, and joy will live on in the beautiful memories she created with those she held dear.

Visitation will be held at Hodapp Funeral Home, 6410 Cincinnati Dayton Rd., Liberty Twp., OH 45044, on Sunday, October 27, 2024, from 2 PM until 5 PM. Visitation will also take place at the funeral home on Monday, October 28, 2024, from 9 AM until 10 AM. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Susanna Catholic Church, 616 Reading Rd., Mason, OH 45040, at 11 AM. Burial will immediately follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 11000 Montgomery Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45249.