“Rosie Dunsford was one of the people who took a chance on me and changed the course of my life.
It was 1986 and I was going to Tahoe to ski bum for a season, straight from Yellowstone national park. I figured I’d be there a season but Rosie made me her sous chef, as I’d graduated from culinary school in ‘84.
I bounced around Tahoe for 3 1/2 years and began home brewing beer. Knowing Rosie was a knowledgeable wine drinker, I thought I could win her over with my rich and flavorful home brews.
What I did was plant a seed for Rosie to take another chance on me when she decided to purchase the Calistoga Inn, which had a brewery in the old water tower. I was one of, if not the only person she knew, that brewed beer.
She offered me the position, with UC Davis schooling and an apprenticeship with the original brewer and I have been a professional brewer and now brewery owner for 34 years.
No one will ever know the lives we would’ve lived without the influences we’ve had but I do know without a shadow of a doubt that mine would not have been as rich and wonderful had I not met Sue Rosie Dunsford.
You will always have a huge spot in my heart and my life story. Thank you Rosie! I love you and miss you more than I could ever express in a hundred lifetimes.”
- Todd Scott, former sous chef at Rosie’s Cafe & original brewmaster at Napa Valley Brewing Company
“Even though Michael and I aren’t married, Rosie was every bit of a mother-in-law to me. She welcomed me into her family with open arms, and over the 12 years I was privileged to know her, she was a mother, a mentor, and most importantly, a friend. She could always be relied upon to greet me with a cheery, ‘Hey girlfriend!’
We shared a love of reading and swapping books, chatting about our favorite shows and movies, and of course, a passion for martinis. When one wasn’t quite enough but two was too many, Rosie would request ‘a child’s pour.’ Her favorite treat was eating the lemon twist at the end and would always request mine as well.
Rosie was a treasure trove of life experience and wisdom and excelled at storytelling right up until her final day, telling a story about once livening up a dull party by challenging another friend to strip down and dive into the pool with her, much to the chagrin of her husband.
Rosie was a passionate but ever humble cook and baker. She often hosted family dinners, and was always testing out new recipes, usually putting her own twist on it as she saw fit. This usually prompted her to preface with ‘I don’t know if this will be good or not.’ In 12 years, there was never a single miss. She always made your favorite desserts for your birthday, and loved hosting me for cooking classes, despite my lack of skill, and I was always grateful for her patience, just happy to be in her wonderful presence.
Rosie not only welcomed me into her family, but into her work family and business as one of the proud owners of the Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery, for which Rosie had endless pride and love, feelings which are reciprocated by every employee of the Inn.
Rosie, it has been an honor to be a part of your life, and I cannot thank you enough for everything you have done for me. I will think of you and miss you every single day, and I promise that I will always take care of your boys.
Goodbye, girlfriend. I love you.”
- Lindsay Faith Weinhold, sort of daughter-in-law, definite martini companion
“The grief I have felt over the loss of Rosie is because of the love that we shared over these past years of our friendship. If Rosie was still here, I can hear her saying, ‘82 years is a pretty good run.’ Nevertheless, I’m sure the things that I will most about Rosie: Love, Friendship, Practicality, Wisdom, Love of books & reading, playful humor, a writer’s journal, confidant, and her mentorship in cooking, and on…
Rosie left us with the grace and dignity that she lived her life. I feel blessed to have had her in my life.”
- Ruben Lopez, friend and cooking partner
“I never asked why but Rosie always greeted me as ‘Mr. Manfredi.’ For sure with her eternal smile and eye glint. Always made me smile in return as I am now thinking of the times we shared.
The Inn, her time on the city council, dinners with Sally and me and Carol at our house. Remarkable times that have now come to an end, but not the memories or lessons learned.
Rosie made life fun. Period. An ability to make the sun shine on even the gloomiest of days.
She won’t be missed so much as remembered.”
- Jeff Manfredi, neighbor & friend
"‘Yo girlfriend!’ That was how my early morning emails started from Rosie. Many times she was sharing a recipe she found interesting. Occasionally we emailed the same NYT recipe to each other at about the exact same time!
Rosie was, of course, a fabulous cook but she was more than that. She understood that food was love. She knew each of our food preferences and when it came to birthday cake, she was the Queen. She knew exactly what kind of cake would please each of her friends.
Maybe unknown to some, Rosie was also a budding naturalist as a result, I think, of her natural curiosity. She loved observing the otters on the river, the king birds were her favorites although those pesky blue jays were a close second. She would frequently text me to tell me that the elderberries were getting ripe so it was time to make jam. We exchanged notes on what was blooming where in Calistoga. ‘Yo girlfriend, did you see that beautiful dogwood on Cedar Street yet?’
Rosie also knew what it meant to be a good friend. She was there with either a shoulder to cry on or a cocktail. Mostly both. We could always count on her to be there for us.
The only thing that was ‘wrong’ with Rosie was her taste in movies. Before COVID, we would gather as a group to watch movies and cook. When it was Rosie's turn to choose a movie, she suggested ‘Trainspotting’ which is a truly bizarre movie that was hard to get your head around. She did, however, redeem herself a few weeks later by suggesting ‘The Isle of Dogs.’
Rosie fed us and we were blessed. It was an honor to be her friend and I will always love her.”
- Linda Giglio, friend
