Rojean Wilson of Gilroy died on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2004 at the
age of 79.
Rojean Wilson of Gilroy died on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2004 at the age of 79.
Rojean was born in Garwin, Iowa. After graduating from high school she attended Iowa Teachers College in Cedar Falls, where she graduated with an elem-entary edu-cation teachers cre-dential. Right out of college she started teaching multiple grade levels in a one room school house in Boone, Iowa. In 1958 Rojean and her family moved to San Jose. By early 1960 she was working as the Assistant Director of the Luther Burbank Children’s Center. In 1968 she was offered the position of Director of the Gilroy Children’s Center through GUSD. She accepted and moved her family to Gilroy. Rojean touched the lives of many children and their families through the Children’s Center. She was the president of CSEA during most of her years at the Children’s Center. She continued her education with night classes at San Jose State University working toward her master’s degree in education. In 1981, after 13 years of running the Children’s Center, Rojean retired.
It was her plan and dream to travel to Australia but she never made it there.
Not long after she retired Rojean went to work as the head cook of The Lord’s Table. She cooked and served countless meals there. Rojean volunteered her time with the SHARE program, helping to distribute food.
Rojean moved to Wheeler Manor and her life began again. She started attending dinner dances, costume parties, Bunco and card games with the wonderful friends she made there. Her love of Bingo was renewed as she started playing and winning again. She even learned to play and enjoy billiards while living at Wheeler Manor. She was an avid bowler, and she enjoyed singing Karaoke on a regular basis.
Rojean touched countless lives in so many ways. She will be remembered most for her generosity, her love of family and friends, and her beautiful smile.
She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law Sue and Jim Mitchell, of Gilroy, Judy and James Casados, of Cottonwood, and Cheryl and Edward Van Deventer, of Gilroy; son and daughter-in-law Richard and Dawn Wilson, of Gilroy, son Charles Edward “Ed” Wilson, of Hollister; grandsons Michael Mitchell, of Florida, Alex Casados, of Cottonwood, Ian Van Deventer, of Gilroy; granddaughters Sharlene Casados, of Cottonwood and Meghan Van Deventer, of Gilroy; grandsons and their wives Jeff and Wendy Wilson, Charles Edward “Ed” and Melissa Wilson III, all of Gilroy, Neal and Nora Wilson, of Hollister, Aaron and Julie Garcia (Van Deventer), of Lodi; granddaughter and husband Shawni and Nick Ramos, of San Juan Bautista; great-grandchildren Matthew, Douglas, Julianna and Michael Mitchell, Brent, Britni and Beth Ramos, Laura and James Casados, Brennan, Dallas and Savannah Wilson, John Alviso; sister and husband Carlene and John Kraft of NE, Duane and Jane Jensen of California, Roger and Merne Jensen, of Virginia.
Rojean was preceded in death by her parents Carl and Alta Jensen and her great-grandson Tristan Mitchell.
Join Rojean’s family in a “Celebration of Life” on Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Masonic Temple, 8387 Wren Ave., Gilroy. Call Dawn at 848-3582 for details.
The family requests that donations be made to the Nature Conservancy in lieu of flowers. Donate in memory of Rojean Wilson to 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203.
