Rosa A. Bustamante Underwood, 97, passed away on February 14, 2025, in Houston, Texas. She was born on August 30, 1927, in Honduras to Domingo and Rosaura Bustamante.

Rosa was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 56 years, Richard Weeden Underwood. She was also preceded in death by two of her sisters: Georgina Bustamante De Henriquez and Gloria Bustamante Item. She is survived by her daughters: Mary Arrington of San Antonio, TX; Jacqueline Carl and her husband Robert of Austin, TX; Roxanne Hendricks and her husband William (Bill) of San Diego, CA; sons: John Underwood and his husband Barrington Hall of Phoenix, AZ and Brooklyn, NY; and Robert Underwood and his wife Lisa of Houston, TX. She is also survived by her sister Laura Bustamante Wiese of Tegucigalpa, Honduras; her brother-in-law Werner Item of Cupertino, CA; grandchildren: Danielle Underwood of Porto, Portugal, and Victoria Underwood of Houston, TX; great-grandchildren: Jeovany Underwood-Gonzales and Belinda Gonzales of Houston, TX; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Rosa attended Barry University in Miami Shores, FL, before returning to Honduras to teach elementary school. It was there that she met Richard, who was serving in the Navy while supporting the Army Map Service in Central America. The couple later moved to Washington D.C. and eventually settled in Nassau Bay, Texas, when Richard joined NASA in 1965.

Rosa devoted her life to raising her five children while actively participating in her community. She was a dedicated member of the Legion of Mary and Prayer Group at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Nassau Bay. Rosa frequently volunteered her time for charitable causes and visited retirement homes to bring comfort to others. Her love for music was evident in her singing at church and at home. Known for her warm heart and infectious laugh, Rosa’s kindness touched everyone she met. She especially enjoyed family celebrations and Christmas and Thanksgiving with her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Doug and Virginia Austin, and their children: Pam, Doug, and Stephen and their families. She also enjoyed family camping trips with her sister Gloria, Gloria’s husband Werner, and their children Robert, Karl, and Eric. She will be remembered as a source of love and strength for all who knew her.

A viewing will be held on Friday, February 21, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM, followed by a Rosary from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM, and a Funeral Mass at 2:00 PM at St. Paul The Apostle Catholic Church (18223 Point Lookout Drive., Nassau Bay, TX 77058). Burial will take place on Monday, February 24, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Houston National Cemetery (10410 Veterans Memorial Drive., Houston, TX 77038). The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to the team at Faith Hospice, as well as caregivers at The Heritage of Clear Lake. In lieu of flowers those wishing to make a memorial donation in Rosa’s memory may do so to the St. Paul Legion of Mary (Nassau Bay, TX), The Alzheimer’s Association (https://act.alz.org/), or the charity of their choice.