Remembering Miss Dee

By Tom Waring

Times Staff Writer

Nidia Rosa worked for 14 years at the Edwin Forrest School in Mayfair, starting as a volunteer and becoming a student services assistant.

Known affectionately as "Miss Dee," she worked closely in recent years with students in kindergarten and third and fourth grades.

"This was her home," said her husband, Tom.

"She really loved this place. She always had so many good things to say."

Earlier this spring, Miss Dee developed an ear infection and was later diagnosed with meningitis. She died on March 29. She was only 50.

Last week, the Forrest family came together to memorialize Miss Dee.

Plans for all 1,100 students to gather for a schoolyard celebration of her contributions to the school were scrapped because of the rain on May 26, but many of the youngsters were able to squeeze into the new Primary Education Center.

A few classes recited poems in her honor, while a group of first-graders offered a song.

The choir performed God Bless the USA.

Then, staff and students braved the raindrops to dedicate a tree in Miss Dee's memory. They tossed pink carnations and wrapped a pink ribbon around the tree, planted near the school's Cottage Street entrance.

"This is extremely humbling to our whole family," Tom Rosa said.

The folks at Forrest believe it was the least they could do for such a beloved figure at the school.

Miss Dee, who lived nearby on Cottman Avenue, sent four sons - Eric, Edwin, Kevin and David - to Forrest. A granddaughter, Nijahly, is in kindergarten.

When she died suddenly, her coworkers and students knew they had to do something to keep her memory alive, even though it was late in the school year.

To raise money for the tree and some funeral expenses, they sold lollipops and held a dress-down day. The effort was successful because of all the fond memories the faculty and children shared with Miss Dee.

"She was very special to all of us at Forrest Elementary School," said principal Patricia Epps. "You name it, she was special to all of us."

Kathy Bartruff, a physical-education teacher, said Miss Dee was known for being patient and caring, and for always having a smile on her face.

"Dee worked in a kind and compassionate way with our children," she said. "She is very sorely missed."

The Rev. Fred Estrada is pastor of Kensington's Bethel Temple Community Bible Church, where Miss Dee was a member.

Estrada asked the children to bow their heads and make the same commitment Miss Dee made to her family, church and job. He believes it is appropriate that a tree was planted in her memory.

"She planted the seed of compassion. She planted the seed of love. She planted the seed of caring," he said.

Fourth-grader Danielle Schulke said Miss Dee helped countless students in the areas of math and reading.

Her best attribute, the youngster said, was her patience.

"She helped me pull my grades up," Danielle said.

"She helped me in reading and comprehension. She taught me to re-read stories to help me find the answers so I wouldn't get them wrong."

Tom Rosa said his wife often told him how much she loved the students and her coworkers.

"Miss Dee could have worked in a lot of different places and made a whole lot more money," he said. "But she never wanted to."

Epps, the principal, said Miss Dee's legacy will continue with all the staff members and students she touched.

"She's with us," she said.

Tom Rosa reminded the students of one of Miss Dee's favorite encouraging phrases that she'd repeat to the young people at Forrest.

"Always be the best you can be," he said.

Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com