Invencio, Rosa Maria of Mansfield, MA, November 3, 2020 at age 53
Cherished daughter of the late Elisa Gomes (dos Santos) and the late Joaquim Furtado Invencio.
Beloved sister of Jose Invencio and his wife Laura Bailey, Jack Invencio and his wife Debbie, Tony Invencio and his wife Lisa.
Adored aunt of Daniel and Amelia Invencio.
Also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, and many more loving cousins, relatives, and great friends.
Rosa was born in the small farming village of Espinheira, Serra do Bouro, Caldas da Rainha, Portugal to Elisa and Joaquim Invencio, their second child, after Jose, and only daughter. In the summer of 1969, after the birth of her brother Jack earlier that year, the family emigrated from Portugal to the United States. They lived in Somerville, MA with relatives for a time, where her “little brother” Tony, was born in 1971. The family then moved to East Cambridge, MA where she would spend most of the rest her life.
The holidays were spent with relatives. Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners were always large affairs where she would often bake desserts. She took up cake decorating for time. She had a deep love for her cousins and would often refer to Gusta and Carma as the sisters she never had. She always stayed close and involved with the extended family.
For a couple years, Rosa produced an extended family calendar with everyone’s birthdays and contact information and mailed it out to all the relatives at her own expense. She spoke proudly of her dear cousin Michael and her niece and nephew, Daniel and Amelia.
Growing up on Charles Street in East Cambridge, MA, Rosa became very close with the McCarthy family. Rita “Ma,” Billy, Dawn and Timothy were always a presence in her life.
Rosa spent her entire life helping others, whether it was friend or family, even if it was just with prayers. At her church, Rosa was known for her incredible generosity. She crocheted blankets for many babies. She worked hard, often behind the scenes, and never wanted to be recognized for her work. She even served as church secretary, refusing any payment for it. She gave of her time, energy, and resources wherever she thought it was needed.
Her dedication to helping others extended to her working life. She worked in various executive assistant capacities for the Cambridge School Department, Mount Auburn Hospital, Harvard University, MIT, and most recently as an executive assistant at Sanofi (Biogen).
Rosa loved to travel. She loved taking cruises to Alaska, the Bahamas, Mexico and many other destinations. One of her favorite things to do was parasailing. She would often go on these cruises with her friend Lisa. She was very outgoing and had a big personality, easily making new friends on these trips. Her next adventure was always just around the corner.
Rosa loved the beach. Nantasket Beach held a special place in her heart. She and her family spent nearly every Sunday of the summer months during her youth there and she returned often as an adult.
She was an animal lover. She held close to her heart her dog Theo, her first cat Sassy, that she found in Maine, and recently her cat Sneakers she adopted as her own after her mother’s passing in July of this year.
No matter where she lived, she always called East Cambridge, Massachusetts her home. She spent a few years in Ellsworth, Maine and a year in Anchorage, Alaska. Her latest move to Mansfield, MA this summer, was to be closer to her dear friend Karen who was diagnosed with breast cancer. When Rosa found out Karen was going to shave her head, she boldly and unapologetically shaved her own in solidarity. She also went with Karen to treatments every morning for five weeks, taking time off from work, so Karen wouldn’t have to go alone.
Rosa was a devoted believer in Jesus Christ, and a very loving, thoughtful, affectionate, and generous woman. She was always reminding those she loved that she would be praying for them. She touched many lives and will be missed.
In lieu of flowers please make donations in Rosa's memory to:
Trinity Cambridge Church
P.O. Box 410171
Cambridge, MA 02141
(617) 800-9763
Visitation at the Rogers Funeral Home, 380 Cambridge Street, in Cambridge, MA, on Thursday, November 12, 2020 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Due to COVID-19 and Massachusetts Tracing Guidelines, the funeral home is limited to 32 people inside the funeral home and a mask must be worn at all times, over both nose and mouth.
The funeral home and the family are asking those who plan to attend to please come in, maintain social distancing guidelines, pay your condolences and then exit to make it possible for others to do the same.
There will be a graveside service held at 11:00 am on Friday, November 13, 2020 at the Holy Cross Cemetery, 175 Broadway, Malden, MA (off Route 99).
People wishing to attend the graveside service at the Holy Cross Cemetery, must meet just inside the main gate of the cemetery between 10:30 am and 10:45 am, and a mask must be worn at all times. This service will be lead by Pastor Shawn Woo of Rosa’s beloved Trinity Cambridge Church.
If you are not attending the visitation at the funeral home, but plan to attend the cemetery graveside service, you are required by Massachusetts COVID-19 Tracing Guidelines to email your name and address to <