The family of Dr. Roseanne Vaile Camacho, 80, is devastated to announce her sudden passing, resulting from a cerebral hemorrhage. She died peacefully on Thursday, March 27, surrounded by her family.
Roseanne will be remembered for being one of the most brilliant people in the room, yet always using her intellect to connect with people, hear their stories, and learn from them. She could fold herself into any group in any setting because she never had an agenda beyond learning, loving and creating comfort for those around her. As so many have said in the wake of her loss: She was a special woman. She was a devoted teacher, an avid cook and baker, a faithful friend and neighbor, and a beloved mommy, aunt, sister and grandma. She worked magic in the kitchen, and she nourished everyone around her, not the least of which were thousands of students in her decades of teaching.
Roseanne was born in Chicago in 1944 to Helen and Phillip Vaile, their second of three children and only daughter. After the family relocated to Pewee Valley, Kentucky, where her father took a job as an engineer at Honeywell, Roseanne began to make the first of many lifelong friends, spanning two continents.
She graduated from Catherine Spalding College in Louisville with a bachelor’s degree in 1966. She came to Providence to attend Providence College on a scholarship at the recommendation of a professor. There she earned her first master’s degree in 1968.
In Providence she also met the love of her life, Desmond Camacho, when she was assigned to be his tutor. The two moved to the Elmwood neighborhood and married in 1968. They enlisted in the Peace Corps together and completed their training, but their assignments were canceled following the 1969 Libyan Revolution.
Roseanne began her teaching career at The Gordon School, where she guided her students with patience and love, yet always pushed them to exceed their own expectations. Roseanne believed in the value of education as an act of engagement with the world around us, opening opportunities for civic causes, community building and a better understanding of those around us.
Roseanne worked to put Des through a PhD program at Brown University in Sociology. Their agreement was for Des to go first and Roseanne’s doctorate would come next.
Roseanne and Des welcomed their daughter, Cara, in 1979. In 1983, the family tragically lost Des to lymphoma. But Roseanne’s dream of a doctorate did not fade with the loss of her husband and partner. She attended Brown University, earning first a Masters and then a PhD in American Studies in 1986 and 1991.
After earning her doctorate, Roseanne expanded her teaching career into higher education. She taught English Literature at colleges and universities across southern New England, as well as Midway College in Kentucky, where she relocated temporarily in order to care for her mother in her final years.
After she retired from teaching, she remained connected to her community in Elmwood through volunteer work, serving on the board of the Community Libraries of Providence, as well as writing and editing for the Providence Eye. These services were a continuation of her lifelong dedication to education, equity and justice.
Roseanne was never the loudest voice in the room, but her curiosity and gentleness of spirit drew kindness and good people to her. Her first response in any situation was how to be of service to the greater good. Her community and loved ones will never be the same without her.
Roseanne was not a sports fan, but she was surrounded by them, and they watched the Red Sox win their opening day game together as they gathered to keep vigil in her final hours.
Roseanne is survived by her devoted and loving daughter, Cara Camacho, Cara’s husband, Adam Hodge, and their children, Owen and Sydney; also by her brother, Phil Vaile, his wife, Teddi, and their children, Christopher Vaile and Jessica Hathaway; as well as her brother- and sister-in-law, Martin and Pam Camacho, and their daughter, Kelsey; in addition, she is survived by a wide community of family and friends whom she brought together, and they remain connected by her generosity of spirit.
The family is planning a celebration of life to be held when the weather is warmer. In the meantime, condolences may be directed to cara.camacho@gmail.com, and in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Providence Community Library Knight Memorial Branch.
https://clpvd.networkforgood.com/projects/248358-friends-of-knight-memorial-s-fundraiser
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