Dr. Rosario Caminero, 68

Dr. Rosario Caminero, 68, of Bentley Lane, Lancaster, passed away on Monday, July 17, 2006 at Lancaster General Hospital.

Born in Havana, Cuba, she was the daughter of the late Leandro and Fredes Calonge Guerrero. She was the wife of Rafael Caminero, with whom she celebrated 46 years of marriage on June 24^th.

Dr. Caminero recently retired from Millersville University, where she taught Spanish linguistics and cultures for 15 years. During her tenure at the university, she directed the Spanish Graduate Program and developed the Latino Studies Minor. She was very active in her field, publishing papers, presenting at conferences, and consulting to various institutions. More importantly, she was a dedicated and beloved teacher. This year, Millersville University recognized Dr. Caminero’s many contributions by establishing a scholarship in her name.

After leaving Cuba in 1960, Rosario and her husband lived in Vevey, Switzerland and Port Cartier, Quebec, before settling in Pittsburgh. There Rosario earned her Ph.D. in Hispanic Linguistics at the University of Pittsburgh and held her first teaching position at Carnegie Melon University. She then taught at Ohio State University for several years before moving to Lancaster.

Rosario, or “Rosy” as her friends called her, enjoyed playing the piano, tending to her garden, and spending time at the beach. Her greatest joy was in being a grandmother. She was a member of St. Philip’s Catholic Church. In recent years, she served on the boards of directors for the Spanish American Civic Association and the Lancaster Hispanic Council.

Surviving in addition to her husband are three children: Raphael Caminero of Harrisburg; Marta Caminero-Santangelo and husband Byron of Lawrence, Kansas; and Mary Ann Cucuzza and husband Keith of Lancaster. Rosario will be lovingly remembered by two grandchildren, Nicola and Gabriel Santangelo of Lawrence, Kansas. Another grandchild, of Lancaster, is expected in January. Rosario is also survived by a brother, Miguel Guerrero, of Miami, Florida.