Rosario “Charo” Garcia Hessen
Born on December 18, 1969 in Las Matas de Farfan, Dominican RepublicPassed on April 13, 2026 in Palm Bay, Florida
1969 was a big year!
Americans had finally put a man on the moon, the Woodstock Festival took place in NY, and my favorite retail store the “Gap” was established.
But in a small Caribbean Island of Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic was taking place for a couple Maria Gonzalez and Jose Garcia a week before the Lord’s birthday on December 18, 1969 this 7th child, a beautiful baby girl was born Rosario Arleny Garcia Gonzalez.
She grew up in the small town of Las Matas de Farfan with her 4 brothers Yose (recently deceased) his wife (Yuly Jimenez), Pielo (Chary Garcia), Ricco (Jary Rodriguez), Andy (Nadia Morales) who absolutely adored her. Her 3 older sisters Mari (Frank Adams), Tere (Fausto Taveras), Danna (Marcos Santana) who she always called her “best friends” in life.
She credits her Catholic faith and example of what it meant to being like Christ to others from her mother and father. She enjoyed at a young age doing Missionary work and helping others who were poor and in need especially those in the countryside villages and the mountains. She loved taking trips with Fr. Brian to visit the people and celebrate the sacraments with them.
Her second love was working with the Sister’s of Calcutta in the orphanage with her oldest sister Mari. Feeding, bathing, and caring for the needs of babies and helping the sisters daily with the children’s needs was so rewarding. There happiest and blessed moment came when Mother Teresa visited and met them one day while visiting her community. It was an experience of humility and humbleness that would stay with Charo her entire faith life.
In 1985 she met her future husband Gary Hessen as part of the Diocese of Orlando, FL church mission trips “Viaje de Campaneros” the Journey of Friendship Missions. 5 years later on January 3, 1989 Gary left the seminary to marry the love of His life for 37 years and brought her back to the United States to live on the Treasure Coast.
It was on January 26, 1990 their first baby daughter Patricia Hessen was born and 4 years later August 13, 1994, they had their son Timothy Michael Hessen come into the world.
Charo was also blessed to be called “Nanna” by her 4 wonderful grandchildren. Armahni Simmons (9), Jelahni Simmons (8), Mateo Hessen (5), and Malakhi Hessen (3).
She had a great love for her “in-laws” Mary Staples (Gary’s sister) and especially for Timothy’s wife Jazzmine Garcia Hessen.
Rosario loved to work and held positions at Kmart, Sears, Administration at Lanier Copiers and recently as the Spanish and Religion teacher at St. Joseph Catholic School for 26 years in Palm Bay, FL where she resided with her family.
Her life was imbedded in her faith and love for God and the Eucharist as a Catholic. She touched the lives of all who met her with her love, contagious smile, and joyful heart.
We love you Charo and know you are home with the Lord numbered among the saints of heaven. Forever in our hearts you will remain:
The Hessen and Garcia Gonzalez Families
