ESCONDIDO: Woman fulfills 68-year dream to become U.S. citizen

By JOHN RAIFSNIDER - For the North County Times | Saturday, August 30, 2008 6:11 PM PDT ∞

Rosina Ibarra Weckmann, 90, with her daughter Annamarie Dawber. Weckmann, who became a U.S. citizen on Aug. 20, more than 68 years after she settled in this country, says she is proud to now be a flag-waving American. (Photo by John Raifsnider - for the North County Times)

ESCONDIDO ---- Sometimes dreams take a while to reach. For Rosina Weckmann, it took 68 years.

The 90-year-old Escondido woman became a U.S. citizen last week during a ceremony for nearly 1,500 new Americans in San Diego, fulfilling a dream she's had since she settled in this country on her own in 1940.

When she was 9, her mother died while giving birth to Weckmann's youngest brother, and her father died of a heart attack two years later. She was taken in by friends of her mother after her father's death before deciding several years later to journey to America.

Born in Panama in May of 1918, Weckmann was a teenager when she arrived in the U.S. She lived for nearly two years in New York City, working as a nanny for a family of diplomats who encouraged her to become a citizen.

Weckmann said last week that from the moment she set foot on American soil, she wanted to become an American but felt her shyness and lack of education stood in the way.

"My father didn't have much education and he felt that little girls needed to learn to cook and to take care of the home ---- that girls didn't need to go to school," Weckmann said of her days growing up on her father's expansive cattle ranch in Panama.

"After I came to this country, it was hard for me because I didn't have an education. I didn't even know what the capital of Panama was until I came to America. "I tried to become a citizen after I got here, but I am a shy person and I got nervous when it came time to take the test. I was afraid I couldn't read the questions correctly. So I would walk out and say that I would try again another time."

Weckmann, whose maiden name was Ibarra, married Bernard Weckmann, a Texan, in the early ‘40s and the couple later moved to Southern California and raised their three children. Her husband died in 1989.

The couple's daughter, Annamarie Dawber, an Escondido realtor, said last week she wanted to help her aging mother fulfill her dream of becoming a U.S. citizen.

"Because she is so shy, she couldn't bring herself to go to the interview to get her citizenship," said Dawber of her mother. "We finally talked her into going in July, and the interviewer could sense she was shy and nervous and he really tried to make her feel comfortable.

"She was asked several questions as part of the test --- which she passed with flying colors ---- and then last week she finally, after all these years, became a U.S. citizen."

Weckmann said she now considers herself a certified, flag-waving American.

"It was always my dream to become a citizen, but I wasn't sure that I would be able to before I died," she said as she tried to contain her emotions.

"Becoming a American, it is the greatest thing to ever happen to me. It's wonderful. This is really a dream come true for me," Weckmann said.

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Pre-Registration Comments[-]Go to Top

Dennis wrote on Aug 30, 2008 6:44 PM:Hey I was born in Iowa ! you dont get much more white than that, I dont have a neat looking Certificate like that at all !! Hope she hangs right up in the front room where she can look at it all the time!! Way to go !!

Escondidite wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:00 PM:This is the way it should be done.
Congratulations to one of America's newest and finest!!!

Iowan Also wrote on Aug 30, 2008 10:36 PM:Hey, Dennis,

I was born in Iowa, too. My name is puro Latino, like about 30% of Iowa today. Been back lately? Half my town (Storm Lake) works at the Foster Farms packing plant; the other half works making Tur-Duc-Kens.

What happened here 20 years ago is happening in the Midwest. Get used to it.

CB Guy wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:36 PM:A beautiful and inspiring story for all immigrants. Mrs. Weckmann may god bless you and America.

Legal Immigrant wrote on Aug 31, 2008 1:08 AM:Thank you to everyone who comes to America the right and legal way like I did. Its worth the wait and trouble!
God Bless this great country!

Congratulations Rosina wrote on Aug 31, 2008 4:01 AM:It is always good to see that some still value US citizenship. My mother was a WW2 German warbride. Her first mission after a long and miserable trip on the old hospital ship, Mercy, was to become a US citizen, even after she found out that streets weren't actually paved with gold.

hey wrote on Aug 31, 2008 8:19 AM:If you think this is the way to come to the U.S., you should realize that the laws we have now do not allow it. Our current immigration laws would have kept her out. They should be changed. Congratulations Rosina; this opportunity should be open to all.

Jerry in Carlsbad wrote on Aug 31, 2008 8:23 AM:Living the American Dream at 90. What's next piano or college?

Proud of dad wrote on Aug 31, 2008 11:13 AM:My dad is 84, and was a SeaBee in world war two. He was a Canadian citizen, and his papers got lost so he never did complete becoming a citizen. he too became a citzen at this ceremony.

Congratulations wrote on Aug 31, 2008 8:05 PM:that's a great story, Ms. Weckmann. Sorry your parents passed away when you were so young, but you seem to have turned out just fine, never giving up your dream to become a US Citizen and accomplishing it! God Bless.

Dennis wrote on Sep 2, 2008 6:30 PM:To: Iowan Also
Who asked you, I dont think your statement is nothing but a racist comment toward me. You have no idea my feelings on any subject, and this is not the format, you need to find acceptance person from Iowa. I'm from Sioux City my familiy has been from there for 200yrs now. I've been an Esco resident for 40yrs!

Dennis wrote on Sep 3, 2008 12:36 AM:me again I thank nctimes for posting my last. and not to be off the subject beside I didn't add To Iowan whens the last time you've been back?? elmer.
I see some leagel citizens of hispanic and other ones are there just saying howdy to the nice lady, like we are a dieying breed or something. I understand an older woman at 90 could not enter the U.S. today and all the other ones also. It was just nice to have the other side of the coin to talk about for a min, thanks NCTimes for any chances like these

Esco Native wrote on Sep 3, 2008 9:21 AM:Way to go Rosina!! I'm so glad she got her dream! My father became a citizen about 10 years ago I was so proud of him. We all come from different back ground but we all want the same thing to be in a country where we feel safe and have freedom!!I am proud to be American and Mexican and I am proud to be a U.S. citizen!!God bless!

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