Born on December 18, 1969 in Las Matas de Farfan, Dominican Republic
Passed 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
Patricia Sobieski
from Melbourne wrote on April 25, 2026:
Charo was a beautiful human being. She was always smiling, willing to help anyone in any way she could. Her faith in the Lord was obvious in everything she said and did. Our world was a better place with her in it. Now those that knew her have her as our very special angel and take peace knowing that she is with her Lord and savior and she could not be happier.
Sending love and hugs always to Gary, Patricia and Tim and all of her family. 💔
Janet Keany
from Palm Bay wrote on April 25, 2026:
Always beautiful and kind. Sending prayers of comfort and peace to her family.
Richard Spinelli
from Riverview wrote on April 25, 2026:
My condolences Gary… take heart… that such a generous soul as your wife Charo… is bound to be with the Lord… May peace be with you…and your family… YBIC
Richard Spinelli… Kairos Prison Ministry
Elie Nasr
wrote on April 24, 2026:
Charo,
Your radiant personality and cheerful spirit inspired so many students and everyone lucky enough to know you. You will be deeply missed, but there is comfort in believing you are now an angel watching over us from above.
Sun-Ja, Yo and Danielle
from Melbourne wrote on April 24, 2026:
Charo her beautiful smile and joyful laughter will be remembered. Her faith guided her life and reflected in her strong commitment to family, church and community. Though taken too soon, her legacy of love and faith will live in all who knew her...
"Well done, good and faithful servant...Enter into the joy of your Lord."-Matthew 25:23
May she now rest in the joy as she begins her next journey with Him.
Chris Romot
from Lithia fl wrote on April 24, 2026:
Charo was an amazing inspiration to all she encountered in her life. My prayers are with Gary, Patricia, Tim and all her family may they feel her presents always in their hearts.
Therese M Stewart
from wellington wrote on April 23, 2026:
Charo, May the Lord keep you in His loving arms until we meet again. Gary, Patty and Tim, We are so sorry for your loss, and we are holding you close in our thoughts and prayers. If there’s anything you need, please don’t hesitate to ask.
With sincere sympathy,
Therese and Jeff
Lois Stearly
from Palm Bay wrote on April 22, 2026:
I met you when you came to St. Joseph's, but really got to know you in our K of C play and the trips to the Orlando Dr. I'm still trying to act my age as you ordered me to, but at 91 it's hard to learn new things. My prayers and love are with Deacon Gary, my MN friend, and your family.
Elly Moran
from Palm Bay FL wrote on April 22, 2026:
My sister in Christ, I have been so blessed to have you in my life. You are the kindest and loving person I know. I Love you and will miss you forever.
Rest in Peace my dear friend.
Elizabeth Witte-Paffenroth “Ms Liz”
from Kissimmee wrote on April 21, 2026:
Deacon Garry and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I am sure it is a loss that will be felt for a long time. I pray for peace in your hearts and beautiful memories to console you.
Charro, if it wasn’t for your nudging and the kindness of our friend and her family, my smile would not be as big as it is! You are kind and thoughtful beyond words. I think you will be another St Thérèse, sending roses to Earth answering so many prayers!
You and Denise were my first friends at St . Joseph’s and made it a point to help me feel welcomed. Thank you. I will keep you and your family in my prayers, please keep me in yours.
I pray for God’s mercy and blessings on your beautiful soul 🙏🏼🥰 Thank you for being all that you were to me and so many others.
Elly Moran
from Palm Bay FL wrote on April 21, 2026:
Charo, Thank you for being my sister in Christ. I was so blessed to have you in my life. You are the most caring, loving and faith filled person i know. I Love you and will miss you terribly.
Rest in Peace my dear friend.
David Mancini
from PALM BAY wrote on April 20, 2026:
Gary I'm so sorry to hear about Charo. She was a beautiful and caring person. You and your Family have our deepest sympathies . May GOD Bless you and your Family. Dave Mancini & Tara Rossetti
Azalea S
from orlando wrote on April 20, 2026:
I love u and thank you for all you have done for us from all she will always be cherished in our lives I am just so glad to know her . the students
Nisrine Nasr
from Palm Bay wrote on April 20, 2026:
Oh Lord,
Thank You for the gift of her life and her love. She was my sister, my strength, my safe place, my joy, she was everything beautiful. She was a gentle light in my life and in the lives of so many others that will never fade, and her light now shines in heaven just as it did here with us…A part of my heart went with her, and a part of hers remains with me. She is the one in a million and will always be in my heart. Please hold her close in Your eternal peace and comfort all of us who miss her so deeply. Amen
Fawn Sandberg
from Melbourne wrote on April 19, 2026:
I worked with Charo at St. Joseph’s Catholic School for eight years. She also taught my son Spanish and religion. Charo adored teaching. I always saw her smiling in the halls. She had such a young spirit and a zest for life. Always positive, always encouraging, and always loving. What an absolute beauty, inside and out.
Wendy Shelden
from Cocoa wrote on April 19, 2026:
Charo, I am so glad I met you and got to spend nearly 16 years as your sister in Christ. Thank you for teaching me how to loudly say, “I love Jesus!” Until we meet again in Heaven, my dear friend.
Gary Hessen
from Palm Bay wrote on April 19, 2026:
My dearest wife,
I can still feel your presence and your love as deeply now as ever even after completing this earthly journey together. We will always be "Companions on the Journey" and I know you will be with me again when we are united in heaven after completing what God has left for me to complete.
The family is well. The Grandkids will never forget you I promise. I miss you so much and Thank you for being my wife and sharing so many milestones together over our 37 years.
May God's face shine on you always as you shone so brightly for so many. You are home, and you are smiling and dancing like never before.
My eternal Love,
Tu esposo Gary or as you would say to me: "Your Good Man".
Milagros Ro
from Melbourne, FL wrote on April 18, 2026:
Rest in peace, my dear friend.
Charo, you always will be in our heart.
Your life was dedicated to show compassion and give love given to everyone around you.
You had show to us to smile even in the most difficult times and I just think that you had win your gift, which is an open gate to heaven.
God, give peace and confort to the family.
Pedro Carmona
from Satellite Beach wrote on April 18, 2026:
Her memory is a blessing. Many prayers.
Chris McKeone
from PalmBay wrote on April 18, 2026:
I starred at the Guest book entry what felt like forever as all the thoughts rushed into my head of Mrs Hessen teaching Spanish class with her patients and her kindness that filled her class room over her kids. Knowing that we all grew up and went on our own ways with our own families now and much older it sadness me with a heavy heart Knowing that I would never get to see her again,never get to see her smile that lit up the room.never get to hear the kindness in her voice just one more time.The fact that she would never know how we all turned out .I just want her to know and her family to know that she left a bigger impact then anyone could know.
Forever missed and never forgotten,
Chris Mckeone
Born on December 18, 1969 in Las Matas de Farfan, Dominican Republic