Rosemary “Peachie” Bisquera
Our Dear Mother, Our Matriarch, Rosemary “Peachie” Bisquera, passed away unexpectedly on November 6, 2025, at Cottage Hospital.
Mom, lovingly known as Peachie, Rose, Nana, and Granny, was born on September 3, 1938, to Mary Perez Sierra and Dionicio “Nicho” Reyna. She was the youngest of twelve children.
Mom grew up and lived her entire life in Santa Barbara, attending local schools: Lincoln School, Santa Barbara Junior High, and Santa Barbara High School. In her teen years, she worked at Newberry’s before meeting our father, Roosevelt Bisquera, to whom she was married for 66 years.
Mom was a devoted wife and stay-at-home mother, raising us — Mike, Gilbert, Lisa, Karen, and Bobby. When our grandfather was alive, Mom managed two households, cleaning, caring for, and cooking her amazing meals.
Mom was a constant caregiver. Whether it was caring for her younger nieces and nephews or babysitting neighborhood children, she always gave her time and love to others. Once we began raising our own families, she lovingly cared for each one of her grandchildren — and even many of her great-grandchildren. What a gift she gave us, pouring herself so selflessly into the generations that followed. We are beyond thankful.
When her caregiving days momentarily slowed, Mom went on to work at Alpha Thrift Store, encouraged and referred by her lifelong friend Cecilia “C.C.” Mejia. There, Mom met other lifelong friends — Maria Gil, Lupe Figueroa, Bill Facundus, and many others with whom she always stayed in contact. Everywhere our mom went, she made lasting friendships — including staff and teachers from Harding School, where she volunteered in her grandchildren’s classrooms.
Mom dedicated countless hours volunteering with Elenor Barstow, another dear lifelong friend. She especially loved helping ESL students and their families. Being bilingual, she encouraged each one to study hard, learn English, and pursue their dreams here in America.
Mom’s greatest joy in life was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was at nearly all of their births and attended countless sporting events, graduations, school performances, flamenco performances, weddings, birthdays, Sweet 16s, quinceañeras, and religious ceremonies. She especially loved family trips to amusement parks — she was always the first from our group in line for the fast rides and free falls! We will never forget the joy on her face and her contagious laughter.
She had a deep love for cats and cared for many throughout the years—some her own and others that ventured in from around the neighborhood. She made sure every cat that came to the complex was very well taken care of, whether they belonged to her or not. The cats seemed naturally drawn to her home, with even those from a couple blocks away finding their way to her doorstep.
Most of all, Mom loved simply being present — spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who brought her years of immeasurable happiness.
Mom leaves behind her beloved husband, Roosevelt G. Bisquera; her children: Michael Sierra, Lisa Bisquera (Jr), Karen Bisquera, and Robert (Letissia) Bisquera; Daughters in law: Emily Sierra and Debbie Reed; Goddaughter Rachel Clarke/Watanabe; and her grandchildren: Luciano (Lisa) Velez, Raymond Angel, Ray (Jessie) Velez, Tania (Jose) Sierra-Arzate, Alysia Dominguez-Bisquera, Daniel (Ofelia) Velez, Monique (Mathew) LaMarca, Michael Sierra Jr., Robert Bisquera Jr., Nicolas (Christina) Velez, David Hartley, Joseph Bisquera, Serena Reyna, Justine Hernandez, Luke Sierra, Nicho Reyna, and Adrian Bisquera.
She also leaves behind her great-grandchildren: Robert Martinez, Michael Velez, Teya (Velez) Rosario, Kassandra Angel, David Angel, Melina Velez, Matthew Velez, Jesiah (Hartley) Keefer, Maya (Velez) Rosario, Elli Velez, Bella Arzate, Kaleb Hartley, Evan LaMarca, Lyric Dominguez-Bisquera, Dominic LaMarca, Kayden Hartley, Charlotte “Charlie” Velez, Kain Arzate, Lil Ray Velez, Eros Hartley, Bently LaMarca, Arabella Hartley, Faith Velez, Dani Velez, Angel Velez, Lil Nico Velez, Ethan Sierra and Marissa Sierra; as well as her nieces Mary Ortega “Mommie” and Gloria Jean Hulbert “Cookie” and their families.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her eleven brothers and sisters, many nieces and nephews, her lifelong friend Amelia Clarke, her son Gilbert Reyna, and her beloved grandsons Michael “Mikey” Velez, Ricky Bisquera, David Herrera, and Anthony Hartley-Bisquera.
Our family would like to thank all those who cared for Mom throughout the years — from caregivers and physical therapists to the staff at care facilities. We especially wish to acknowledge the daily love and care Mom received from her grandchildren: Alysia, David, Daniel, Ofelia, Robert Jr., Joe Joe, Adrian, Anthony, Justine, Serena and great grandson Jesiah. You each lovingly supported Mom with her daily needs — grocery shopping, appointments, housework, gardening, home repairs, shopping trips, lunches, dinners, and anything Nana needed. You gave her the gift of a full, joyful, and dignified life, and we couldn’t have done it without you.
We also wish to extend our gratitude to Patsy (Cano) and Richard O’Brien for their love, visits, and for bringing Bible studies into Mom’s home.
Services for Mom:
Viewing: Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at McDermott-Crockett Mortuary, 2020 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara.
Mass: Friday, November 21, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at Saint Raphael Church, 5444 Hollister Avenue.
Burial: Goleta Cemetery, 44 S. San Antonio Road.
Reception: To follow at Eagle Lodge 923 Bath St.
Any cards or flowers may be sent to the family at 1724 Chino St Santa Barbara, CA 93101
