Rocio "Rose" Legaspi Competente

Rocio “Rose” Legaspi Competente, 79, passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 3, 2015.  Rose was born on June 7, 1936 in Binalonan, Pangasinan, Philippines.   She grew up on a farm as one of twelve children of Ruperto and Rosita Legaspi.  After graduating from Binalonan High School as one of the top students in her class, she attended the University of the East in Manila.  She first majored in chemistry, then switched to business administration and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration degree.  It was at the University of the East where she met the love of her life and eventual husband, Levi.  They married on January 30, 1965 and recently celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary in the Philippines with their daughters, sons-in-law, four grandchildren, siblings, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.  Rose and Levi have two daughters, Laarni and Cheryl, who were both born in the Philippines.  In 1972, the family moved to Tacoma, Washington and in 1977, to Lacey, Washington.  The family spent many fun vacations camping and traveling around the Pacific Northwest.  Rose had a long and successful career as an accountant with the State of Washington.  She retired from the Department of Natural Resources in 1998.  Since retiring, Rose has spent much of her leisure time traveling around the world with Levi and friends.  She also was very devoted to her Catholic faith and enjoyed volunteering for the Filipino-American community with Sacred Heart Church in Lacey.  Rose had a deep love for Christ, and also a deep love for her family.  She is a kind and gentle soul who adored her husband and children.  She especially enjoyed caring for and playing with her grandchildren, often visiting them for extended periods in Redmond, Washington and Anchorage, Alaska.  Rose enjoyed gardening and cooking.  Her loving, sweet and nurturing nature shined through the delicious dishes she cooked to feed her family and friends.  She is loved and will be deeply missed by many.   She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings Ruperto, Hernando, Conrado, Antonio, Jesus and George Legaspi.  She is survived by her husband, Levi Competente; daughter and son-in-law Laarni and John Power; daughter and son-in-law Cheryl and John Lokanis; grandchildren Joel and Aaron Power and Sara and Alexandra Lokanis; siblings Josefina, Benjamin, Caridad, Teofilo and Rosario Legaspi; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A rosary/vigil service will be held on Tuesday, July 7, at 6:30 p.m. at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 5930 Mullen Rd. SE, Lacey, WA  98503.

A funeral mass and celebration of Rose’s life is being held on Wednesday, July 8, at 9:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 812 Bowker Street, in Lacey, Washington.