Francoise Rosa Darrou

Françoise Rosa Darrou, lovingly known as “Aunty Rosa,” “Koya,” and “Ma Daddy,” was born in Pointe Michel, Dominica, an island which she loved immensely. She seized every opportunity to express her pride about its beauty and culture to anyone who was willing to listen. After completing her education at St. Luke’s Primary School, at age 16 she migrated to Curaçao, along with her mother and siblings to join their father. She was married three years later. For over two decades she resided in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, before moving to Washington, D.C. and then to Florida, where she said goodbye to this world at age 92. 

The well-being of family was Rosa’s priority and mission. She was assertive, humorous, kind-hearted, generous, energetic, hardworking, knowledgeable in diverse topics, including history and politics, extraordinarily sociable and an expert conversationalist. Her memory was exceptional. She enjoyed living and was grateful for every moment. One of her favorite quotes is worth echoing: “Leave everything in the hands of the Lord.”

She was predeceased by her two children, Josephine Lawrencia Darrou and Steven Darrou; her husband, Simeon Darrou; her parents, Alma Lixia Royer, and Nixon Antoine Royer; her sisters, Sylina Brunette Balson, Wyndolin Zita Adrien, Alice Ann Peter, Evelyn Josephine Daniel, and Isabella Pemberton; and brothers, Turib, Henry, Martin, and Michael Royer.

Rosa is survived by her granddaughter, Stephanie Rosa Pupuma in Florida, and sisters Vilna Royer and Rosy Antia Royer in Dominica. 

Aunty Rosa will always be remembered for being affable, kind, and affectionate by her nieces and nephews, the extended members of her family, and her close friends spread across the globe.

The branches of her family include Royer, Daniel, Carbon, Peter, Etienne, Lugay, Charles, Thomas, Samuel, Lantan, LeBlanc, McKenzie, William, Bardouille, Anselm, Delauney, Nordé, St. Hilaire, Jno Baptiste, Balson, St. Paul, Adrien, McCoy, Darroux, Dubois David, and Pemberton-Remy families.

Close friends include Felixia and Joseph (Baba) Philbert and Family in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and Florida; and Debra Fust and Joseph Barilotti in Florida.

A Funeral Mass will be held at National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, Pointe Michel, Dominica, followed by interment at the Catholic cemetery in early 2025.

Aunty Rosa, your assignment on earth is complete. Now, rest in eternal peace.