4800 E Indian School Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85018
MROZ, THE HONORABLE ROSA
Judge Rosa Mroz died on February 5, 2022. Born Peng Shao Ching in Taiwan, Rosa immigrated with her family to the United States when she was 7 years old and went on to be an esteemed Superior Court judge. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, sister, and daughter.
Rosa’s father was a Taiwanese diplomat, and after her family arrived in the United States, they found themselves in Chicago, Illinois, Queens, New York and later Miami, Florida. She became a naturalized American citizen when she turned eighteen, and later confided that the words of the judge who presided over that ceremony sparked her interest in law and the judiciary.
Rosa enrolled at the University of Hawaii, where she met Robert Mroz, originally from Massachusetts. From that first blind date – on Rob’s birthday – the two were inseparable. They moved to Arizona in January 1985, where Rosa got her accounting degree at ASU, and they were married in the spring of 1987.
Rosa worked as an accountant for a few years, then enrolled at what is now the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at ASU. After graduation, she served as a law clerk for Justice James Duke Cameron of the Arizona Supreme Court and Chief Judge Thomas Kleinschmidt of the Arizona Court of Appeals. Rob and Rosa’s daughter, Sarah, was born the month before Rosa took the bar exam. Their son, Tommy, was born during one of her clerkships.
Rosa practiced law at two prestigious law firms, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. In 2004, Governor Napolitano appointed her to the Superior Court in Maricopa County, the first Asian-American woman to serve on that bench. Over her career, she served in family court, probate, civil and criminal assignments. She also served as Probate Presiding Judge, where she helped devise wide-ranging and much needed statewide reforms. Her longest and favorite assignment was criminal court, where she drew on her years as a prosecutor for insight, and where she was a frequent resource for colleagues. Rosa would respond in good spirit to any query, no matter how small or large. She knew dozens of court staff by name. She trained and mentored countless other judges.
Rosa was an active member of the local Asian-American legal community, the Arizona Women Lawyers’ Association, and served on many justice-related commissions, task forces and committees. She received numerous awards, including in 2020 the Trailblazer Award from the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association.
Herself the daughter of a “Tiger Mom,” Rosa was that and more for Sarah and Tommy. No matter how late she worked, she would check the children’s homework after dinner, and if they were working into the early morning hours, she was awake with them. Along with Rob, Rosa attended every game or other school or scouting event. Other parents always knew her as Rosa, not as a judge with a national reputation for excellence. While her career was important, Rosa was most proud of her love she shared with her husband Rob and the joy they both shared in raising their beautiful children. Love of family and friends was her greatest accomplishment.
Rosa was predeceased by her father, John Peng, and her father-in-law, Walter Mroz. She is mourned by her husband, Rob, her mother Nancy (whose formal name is Jane Peng), her children Sarah and Tommy, her brother David, and her extended family, friends and colleagues.
Donations may be made to a scholarship fund in her memory at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, at http://www.asufoundation.org/rosamroz. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Brophy Chapel, 4701 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, February 17, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4715 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix.
Rest in Peace..Judge…you have earned your wings and God needed another Angel
I am so tremendously sorry for your loss. I used to see Rosa quite often walking the front of Camelback Mountain. Although I never knew her name she alway greeted me warmly. Please know that many of us are thinking of you at this difficult time!
Deepest condolences for your loss. I was an investigator with MCAO and worked with Rosa. One of the most gentle and considerate people I ever met.
I remember your family when you lived on 64th street…I was on 63rd Place when your children were very small….my best memory of Rosa was her wonderful smile and kindness….she always said hello when I walked by with my little dog and we enjoyed a friendly talk for the day. My condolence to all of the family as a huge hole is missing in your family…prayers for all of you
My heart breaks that such a wonderful person like Rosa could be taken prematurely and without warning. She was such a bright light and will be missed dearly by so many.
I wish you peace and comfort in remembering her smile, laughter, and the love she shared so generously.
My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family at this most difficult time.
I only knew Judge Mroz through criminal hearings I attended reference my job as a detective with the Mesa Police Department. I was thoroughly impressed by her professionalism and fair demeanor. It was apparent Judge Mroz was a person who took her job seriously and professionally while maintaining that human element. I truly wish I would have had the opportunity to have gotten to know her on a personal level and send my sincere condolences to her family and friends.
To the Mroz family, I just come to learn of your lost through Governor’s Doug Duce’s declaration for all federal agencies flags to fly at half staff. What an amazing mother, wife, sister, friend, and justice to all that were fortunate to have experienced her humanity and professionalism focused through social justice during her tenure.
It is truly an honor and a blessing, although under this tragic circumstance, that I myself can truly say that I to now know Rosa through her many achievements stated and the testimony’s from all the people she touch during the course of her life.
May family and friends hold you near and dear for all the days of your lives.
Judge Mroz you were the pinnacle of confidence. I so admired you and wish I would have told you so. Thank you for your kind words to me when I needed them . I will never ever forget you. To her family, I am so deeply sorry.
Rob, Sarah, Tommy and Family,
Rosa’s passing is such a tragedy for us all. My prayers and thoughts are with all of you. She clearly loved you so much, and showed love and passion and was such a smart and successful individual too. I will miss her . Please take care of yourselves.
Michele Laurin (Beguiristain)
Roger, Evelyn, Eric and Scroungy too
Our sincerest sympathy to you and your family during this time Tommy.
Sending my sincere condolences to Rob, Sarah and Tommy. I am so sorry for your loss and pray for peace and comfort for you during this time.
It has been hard for me to process this. After finally reconnecting with Raven after more than 35 years, we had so much to catch up on. I thought we had more time. In her message to me in September, she said you were possibly returning to Hawaii in February. I regret not responding to her sooner. I thought we had more time. I finally responded on Feb. 5th and wondered why she didn’t reply. I wanted to hear all about Sarah and Tommy, to tell her about my 2 boys and my 2 grandchildren. I wanted to hear your lessons learned on a long and happy marriage. I wanted to hear all of her career decisions because when I knew her, she had no idea of her future path. She was surprised when I told her she actually had mentioned dentistry to me. We’ve practically missed a lifetime with each other.
Rob, I don’t know that we’ve actually met or spoken with each other. But I felt like I knew you. That one night we brought her to your birthday party and felt like she never left, fits with the description that you two were inseparable after meeting. Her cooking for her jurors aligns with one of my last memories with her long ago. We were at your house as she cooked chicken curry, ma po tofu and pork and eggplant for you and your housemates. I did not know how to cook but made those dishes countless times in the following decades.
Raven has left a lasting impression on me and now I am intent on not taking any of my friends and the time left on earth, for granted. Until the time comes, I will have to wait to be in heaven before I can reminisce with her. Take care of yourself and each other.