"I have just heard today of her passing. Mrs. Frassetto was my first high school teacher at Barry Goldwater. She was the most inspirational and caring teacher I have ever had. She was the one who got me interested in science and because of her I received my bachelor\'s in Biomedical Science at Northern Arizona University. I was one of the students that would frequently visit her during lunch and was on her bowling team. I am very saddened of her passing and I wish I was there to celebrate her life. She was an amazing person and she will be remembered as such"
In loving memory of
Rosemary Frassetto
On September 27, 2014, at 5:05 p.m., Rosemary Sanson Frassetto took her last earthly breath with her twin sister, Nancy Porter, by her side. Rosemary waited until all visitors were gone, and she was alone with Nancy before she flew on angel's wings. Her first and last breath she shared with Nancy. Rosemary and Nancy were born on May 18, 1947, as conjoined twins and were successfully separated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She grew up in an exceptionally athletic family surrounded by 5 other siblings. Of the 6 Sanson children, 5 were teachers & coaches, while sister Grace became a nun. Like her siblings, Rosemary was also athletic and lettered in tennis and swimming. Rosemary's childhood highlights include a mock wedding with a neighbor boy. Both the "bride" and the "groom" were 8. Twin Nancy was not allowed to attend lest the groom got distracted. She was also Miss Cheese Cake in the 1950's. She did not switch classes with her twin as much as she hoped for. Her hopes were dashed in the second grade when the switch was made, but Nancy balked at the fact that she had to take a quiz for Rosemary, while Rosemary got to watch a movie next to a cute boy. Though that was the one and only switch, Rosemary's history teacher was convinced that Nancy was taking Rosemary's final exam and therefore, Rosemary was forced to repeat the course in summer school. At West High (Class of 1965), Rosemary was on the swim and tennis teams, in student council, class representative, and was an officer in many clubs on campus. Following high school, Rosemary attended Phoenix College, nursing school, Glendale CC, and University of Phoenix. She earned her Associate of Arts degree, Bachelor of Arts in Business Management, Bachelor of Arts in Education, and Masters Degree in Education. While attending school, she consistently was on the Dean's and President's Honor Roll, worked, and raised her daughter Lisa. She worked for Moore Business Forms as a sales account representative and won state, national and international recognition, including 3 trips to Hawaii, being honored in Toronto, and landing the much sought after Pepsi account. Following her retirement from Moore, she went back to school to get her teaching degree. She got her certification in Special Ed and taught at Barry Goldwater High. Then, she went back to school to get her certification to teach Biology. She has been teaching Biology right up until the end of May at Trevor Brown. The last decade of her life she was devoted to the students, teachers, and administration at Trevor Brown High School. If she wasn't rewarding her students with pizza parties for good behavior, she was giving her students $5 each for perfect attendance for the semester. Besides being the NHS sponsor, she also traveled to MIT with fellow teacher, Phil Moas, with a group of Trevor Brown students, and also was the bowling coach. Besides loving her students to construct DNA structures, she especially loved her principal, Dr.Gabe Trujillo, and his secretary. Rosemary's life changed abruptly with the death of her beloved husband when he was killed by an 18-year-old running a red light on November 12, 2012. Her whole world fell apart, but she found comfort by being on the Board of Red Means Stop at the urging of founder, Frank Hinds. Her life changed abruptly this summer when she was stricken with a rare brain degeneration disorder that she succumbed to. During her many hospitalizations and home care at Nancy's, Rosemary received many, many teachers and students from Trevor Brown. Their love for her is amazing. Rosemary is survived by her twin, Nancy; brothers Jim and Dave Sanson, sister Grace, daughter Lisa Loftis and grandchildren Zach, Trinity, and Reagan Loftis. She also leaves behind her zany African Grey parrot named Paddy. Also surviving Rosemary's loss are the Frassetto children and grandchildren. Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents, Mary and David Sanson, her husband Frank Frassetto, her brother Bob Sanson, and grandbaby Christian Frassetto. Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 PM on Friday, October 10, 2014 at Hansen Mortuary, 8314 N. 7th Street, Phoenix. Funeral will be at 10:30 AM on Saturday, October 11, 2014 at Hansen. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Trevor Browne High's Gift Fund at www.phxhs.k12.az.us/browne.
Tributes
"Lisa and family, I was saddened to hear of the passing of Rosemary. As my aunt for many years, I remember her beauty and kindness. I am happy to have had such a kind person in my childhood. She will not be forgotten for that kindness that was her. My heart goes out to you all for her loss. Joey Limb"
"I was so sorry to hear about Rosemary. Nancy, thank you so much for calling! Although we kept the house in Phoenix we moved to Camp Verde a few years ago so it took awhile before I received the message. Your in my thoughts and prayers. Rosemary & Frank and my husband and I were friends for many many years. Sadly kids for us and grandchildren for them kept us busy and sadly we lost track of one another. This morning I find myself remembering them and all of the wonderful times we had. We were with them when Paddy became a member of the family. They always brought him to our house and we brought our parrots when we visited them! My best memory is the time we showed up on their doorstep very early on a Sunday morning completely unannounced with Danish and coffee. Frank had to go wake up Rosemary to tell her they had company. We planned to only stay a couple of hours but before I knew it Frank was in the kitchen making lunch. We stayed for lunch but said we\'d leave right after so they could get on with the rest of their day...it was a day spent telling stores, laughing and just enjoying each other\'s company. As we were sitting there, I realized it was starting to get dark outside and Frank was once again back in the kitchen making dinner, which we ate, of course. Definitely one of the best days of my entire life! I wish we had made the time to see each other these last few years, something I\'ll always regret. I miss and love you both very much! Love Missy"
"I was so sorry to hear of Rosemary\'s passing. We shared dorms our freshman year of high school in San Louis Rey, California when we were deciding if being a nun was right for either of us. I truly was blessed in knowing Rosemary, who was always fun to be around. I know there is a new angel in heaven looking down on us. RIP my friend."
"Rosemary and I worked together at Trevor in the Science dept. It was hard to see Rosemary\'s health decline so rapidly and had a profound affect on all of us. She was so dedicated to her students working very long hours. We will all miss her. I know I can not refer to her classroom as anything other than-Rosemary\'s room. God speed and be at peace Rosemary."
"Rosemary was the sweetest Aunt to my children. She never knew the impact she made on them but they remember her as their \"Aunt Rosemary\". I am so glad to see she had a \"love of her life\" and a beautiful career in education. She was a breath of sunshine to us and will never be forgotten by me or my children or my grandchildren. I will see you in Heaven, Sherri"
"Several of us met for lunch to begin planning the class of 65\'s 50th reunion. The next day we read about Rosemary\'s passing. It was a shock! Her obituary gave such insight into her life and all that she had accomplished, and it reminded me that we need to make our lives count because we can\'t see into the future. It was evident that Rosemary made a big impression on the lives of many. My sincerest condolences to all her friends and family."
"I\'m so saddened to hear of Rosemary\'s passing. When I was in grade and high school with the \"Sanson twins\" as they often were known, I always enjoyed being around them both. Just recently something brought Rosemary and Nancy to mind, and again I thought of both fondly. So sorry that Rosemary had to leave everyone she loved."