Obituary: Rosette Diaz

Throughout Rosette Diaz’s life, she excelled. The elder of two sisters born to immigrant parents, Rosette met and rose to challenges as first-born children so often do. Ultimately, only cancer could overcome her; but, reader, she fought like hell against metastatic breast cancer until September 7, just shy of her 40th birthday, when she passed away holding the hand of her husband, Aaron. She is survived by her son Cooper, her sister Leilani, and her loving extended family.

After growing up in Las Vegas, Rosette matriculated at UC Berkeley, where she studied public health. Despite this early interest in medicine, she was drawn in many directions given her wide range of talents and interests, including as a musician—a multi-instrumentalist with strengths as a jazz pianist and singer. She meandered through other endeavors, but once she discovered her acuity for coding in Silicon Valley, she found her footing in supporting organizations she cared about. In 2022, she moved with her young family to Red Hook, where they immediately immersed themselves in the community. Though her time here was short, her influence was nothing short of extraordinary.

Diaz wasn’t just a dedicated mom, kind neighbor, and hard worker. She was the outgoing PTA president at PS15, walked the walk in bridging Red Hook’s socioeconomic divides, and was an outstanding part of Planned Parenthood for America. This short list of descriptors encapsulates her main passion: helping children and families thrive.

According to her coworker, Tyler Kershner, who worked very closely with Rosette at Planned Parenthood, “I really feel privileged to have gotten to work with her on something she’s so passionate and skilled in. She was a brilliant engineer and people-person. It was exciting and fun every single day. She was an amazing work partner, and it’s tough to imagine this job without her.”

At P.S. 15, Principal Julie Cavanagh opened the school’s gym for mourners the day of Rosette’s death. At the first PTA meeting of this school year, the first part of the agenda was dedicated to recollecting memories of Rosette and her positive effect on the school. Attendees remembered her lovingly through tears. 

At the Red Hook branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, Rosette was a regular, frequently swapping dozens of books that her son, Coop, devoured. Laura Blake, assistant branch manager, recognized Rosette from her regular visits, but only realized her level of commitment to the BPL after the fact:  “When the Friends of the Library had their bake sale, Rosette was very involved during a time when she was really sick.” Rosette was perceived not only as a loyal library patron, but also an unassuming, kind, and caring community member. Other patrons and staff alike were saddened by the loss of someone so integral to the Red Hook neighborhood.

On a personal note, this writer misses Rosette every day. Texts like, “Hey babe, just thinking about you,” and “I haven’t seen you in so long, coffee walk?” and “I love you” are crystallizing like amber in the message inbox. She made a point to support me in important events: joining in the festivities for the opening of my business, attending comedy shows I produced, and being a calming presence during the death of my beloved dog. The conversations shared ranged from silly to sublime, but the experiences always felt special. 

This writer is forever changed by Rosette and her gentle curiosity, her attention to who a person truly is, and her incredible, generous laugh. 

This isn’t an obituary or a eulogy. This is an article of fact. Rosette Diaz will live on forever in everyone she impacted. Rosette impacted everyone she met. Rest in peace Rosette, long live Rosette.

A memorial will be held for Rosette on December 6, 2026, near the waterfront—details forthcoming. For those who feel compelled, Aaron was laid off just before Rosette’s death, and the Support Now fundraiser is available at www.supportnow.org/rosette-diaz.