By Melissa Sánchez, mscanchez@elnuevoherald.com
The mother of Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Amanda Ros, died Friday morning due to complications from Alzheimer's disease.
"My greatest aspiration has not been to be a member of Congress or the chairman of an important committee, but to be the type of loving mother to my children that she was to me,''Ros-Lehtinen said in a statement.
Ros-Lehtinen added that her " mother always had a clever Cuban saying for every situation and I was astounded that she could remember so many at the appropriate time. My mom worked hard for a free Cuba and it saddens me deeply that she never got the opportunity to see her native homeland bathed in liberty and democracy."
Enrique Ros, her husband of 65 years, thanked all the doctors, nurses, caregivers and friends who have supported his family.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in the name of Amanda Ros to the Alzheimer's Association, Southeast Florida Chapter, P.O. Box 22594, West Palm Beach, FL 33416.
Visitation will be Saturday from noon until midnight at the Caballero Rivero Woodlawn Funeral Home, 8200 SW 40 Street. Memorial services will be Sunday at 2 pm at Calvary Baptist Church, 226 S.W. 17 Avenue.
Representative Ros-Lehtinen,
We are so sorry for you loss. We too have a parent with Alzheimer's and know painful it can be. Our family Alzheimer's Association website strives to support others like us and you so feel free to check in and join in at Pakkisteam.com.
Susan Siegfried, Psy.D.
Posted by: Susan Siegfried, Psy.D. | January 29, 2011 at 10:29 AM