Rosemary Barrientos-Irigoyen
September 11, 1964 - October 31, 2025
Obituary
Our beloved Rosemary B. Barrientos-Irigoyen, age 61, passed away on October 31, 2025, after a four year battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born on September 11, 1964, in Madison, Wisconsin to parents Julian and Betty Barrientos, two Bolivian immigrants.
She met her future husband, Enzo Irigoyen, in Tiawanaku Dance Troupe, a Bolivian folk dance group. They went from dance partners to life partners, getting married in 1999 in Madison. They have two children, Sofia (24) and Sebastian (21) Irigoyen-Barrientos. Rosemary was the embodiment of maternal love and affection. She was a kind, gentle mother and a loving wife; she would do anything for her family.
Rosemary graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with her bachelor’s degree and completed a Masters in Social Work at UW Madison. For over 29 years, her warm smile illuminated the Student Services office of Vel Philips Memorial High School, where she was their beloved multilingual social worker.
She founded the Latinos Unidos club at Memorial High School and coordinated the annual Latino Festival. She was a pillar of inspiration and support for her students and a familiar face in the Latino community. In 2023, Centro Hispano awarded her the Roberto G. Sanchez Award for outstanding leadership and commitment to promoting educational opportunities for Latinos in Dane County. Her legacy runs deep in Madison; she touched many lives with her compassion and empathy.
Rosemary’s love for life, music, and nature radiated from within. In her free time, she enjoyed picnics at Wingra park, hiking at Devil’s Lake, and dancing with her friends. Her resilience and strength shone through even in the toughest moments in her battle with cancer. She cared deeply for every soul—animal and human alike. To know Rosemary is to love her. We will miss her beautiful spirit and warm hugs.
Rosemary is survived by her husband, Enzo Irigoyen, to whom she was married for 26 years; her children, Sofia and Sebastian Irigoyen-Barrientos; and their kitty, Nina. Additionally, she is survived by her siblings, Lola (Benjamin) Barrientos Marquez and Norman (Lisa) Barrientos; her sister-in-law, Claudia (Javier) Estrada; her brother-in-law, Marcelo (Jane) Irigoyen; her mother-in-law, Teresa Meneses; and her father-in-law, Jorge Irigoyen. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Rolando (Eydie) Barrientos.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 8 at 11AM at Midvale Community Lutheran Church, 4329 Tokay Blvd, Madison, WI 53711. A visitation will precede the service beginning at 10AM at the church.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, November 23 at 1PM at Rosemary’s home. Updates will be posted to Facebook.
A special thanks to the nurses, doctors, and staff at UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center for always taking good care of Rosemary.
We love you forever, Mama. Rest in peace.
To view her obituary or leave a memory, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.
Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Legacy Center
6728 Mader Drive
608-274-1000
Events
Visitation
Sat Nov 8, 2025 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CST
Midvale Community Lutheran Church • 4329 Tokay Blvd, Madison, WI 53711
Memorial Service
Sat Nov 8, 2025 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
Midvale Community Lutheran Church • 4329 Tokay Blvd, Madison, WI 53711
Photos
Memories
PH
Phil Hubble
Coworker •
Phil Hubble, colleague. Rosemary and I shared many years in the Student Services Department at Memorial, and she became “muy amiga mía” during that time. I came to value the warm, gentle person who invited students, staff, and parents to trust her, alongside the firm professional who could tell the truth to those same people without hesitation so that they had no choice but to consider what she had said. Rosemary’s touch has changed many souls for the better. Un abrazo de parte de Felipe
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Wanjiru
Friend •
I had the pleasure of working with Rosemary & Enzo at Van Hise Elementary School coordinating their International Night program. She and Enzo were always willing to volunteer their time and their talents. I will always remember her beautiful warmth, kind heart, dancing in breathtaking outfits and her joy. Thank you for stepping up year after year without hesitation. Enzo & family, my deepest condolences. May her loving memories & knowing how much she made this world better ease your pain. Rest in peace beautiful lady.
DP
Daniela Porro
Friend •
Wherever you are now, Rosemary, I wish you peace. You endured a tough battle and now you are resting. I am glad I got to know you and shared beautiful times dancing, celebrating, and creating a group together that brought immense joy to each one of us. Our dance troupe also brought diversity to our society by sharing your Bolivian roots. You are greatly missed by the Tiawanakas. Rest in peace, amiga.
TE
Thom Evans
Coworker •
I had the absolute pleasure of working in the Pupil Services Staff at Memorial High School shortly before my retirement. She was a wonderful colleague and an exceptional school social worker. Her kindness, warmth and creativity stood out and benefited those working with her. She will be missed but her impact on families and students remembered far into the future. My best to her family and many friends.
YA
Yesenia alquisira
Friend •
Ms.Barrientos was such an amazing,kind,loving person. I met her in my high school day's. She was someone i vould go to when i needed help and needed to talk to someone. She gave me the strenght to keep going and to never give up. Her advice and her support made me want tk work with childreb, and here i am . Working with young kids.
CG
Ceci Gillhouse
Coworker •
Many years ago, when I was a new advocate, I knocked on her door hoping to share my information with her and the families at her school. That single conversation changed everything. She invited me into her office immediately, greeting me with a warm and genuine smile, and offered to collaborate. I will never forget that smile or the way she made me feel welcomed from the very first moment. For nearly two decades, we worked together to support countless students and parents. On many occasions, we would spend time brainstorming over the phone about how to best serve her families, how to protect the children, and how to provide the support they deserved. She was always welcoming, positive, and encouraging. Even over the phone, I could feel her kindness and her smile. I will always remember her for her compassion, her unwavering love for her students and families, and the deep respect she showed to her colleagues and friends. Her presence made a difference in so many lives, including mine, and her legacy of care and dedication will never be forgotten.