After 54 years in the produce business, Rosie Cornelius has decided the time has come to enjoy parts of life that were not allowed by her long career.

“If anything was going to give me a kick out the door, this season was it,” 73-year-old Cornelius half-joked with The Produce News.

Speaking entirely seriously, she noted, “It’s time to start doing things I couldn’t do before.”

Traveling is high on her wish list. A European river cruise was planned for this summer, but the global pandemic quashed that plan. “Now, we’ll have to do that in the future. I also want to go to Italy again. Greece has been on my bucket list for a long time. We travel with two groups of friends every year. Now we will not have to travel around work for a change.” And, when she does travel, she will not need to constantly answer her cell phone. “I think that will be a relief, not to be on the phone 24/7.”

With a distinctive first name, everyone in Nogales knows “Rosie.”

Around all trade events, she is also known by the constant companionship of her husband, Richard Cornelius. The likeable, easy-going man, who retired 18 years ago, appears totally comfortable in his supportive role, and escorts his wife on all her business travels.

Cornelius said that her husband once was delayed and unable to join her on a trip to Canada. Her business colleagues were so concerned about his absence, she said, “Well, I’ll just start sending Richard in the future!”

Cornelius had a big year in 2018, with starting a procurement division at Nogales MAS Melons & Grapes LLC in September. On Nov. 2, 2018, she was recognized at the 50th Nogales Produce Convention and Golf Tournament as the Pillar of the FPAA at the closing gala dinner.

Presented by the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, the annual Pillar Award is the highest honor bestowed on a Nogales produce industry leader.

According to the FPAA, “The coveted Pillar Award recognizes individuals who not only demonstrate the values of the organization, but also who have dedicated their lives to the produce industry and the community.”

Lance Jungmeyer, FPAA president, said at the time, “Not only is she a pioneer for women working to make their mark on the business, but she’s also responsible for the success of so many conventions past.”

Of these conventions, Cornelius said, “I just love decorating and putting events together. I do it with the Boys & Girls Club also. It’s just something I really enjoy, and you might say I have a knack for.”

“Rosie has a gift for partying and decorating,” said Chris Ciruli of Ciruli Bros. “She can turn anything, even a warehouse, into an elegant venue. She’s an expert with lighting.”

This June, Cornelius told The Produce News that her plan in high school was to be either an interior decorator or a women’s clothing designer.

Twenty years later, she ran into an old high school teacher, who asked which direction she took. “I became a vegetable peddler,” she responded.

While her teachers wanted her to go to college, after graduating from Nogales High School she went to work to help support her large Favela family as an office clerk in A&P’s Nogales buying office. She worked for several summers from A&P’s Fresno office.

When the retailer closed its Nogales office, the late Beto Maldonado invited her to join G.A.C. Produce Co. Inc. She stayed for 21 years, working in bookkeeping for five years before being offered to go into sales. Sales was added to her bookkeeping responsibility for her first year and full time after. Of course, it was sales that took her to high levels of success.

She then worked in Nogales for Bay Area Produce for 23 years. Miky Suarez, the managing partner of MAS Melons & Grapes was thrilled when Cornelius and a team she had helped build over the years brought their expertise to MAS.

She is retiring from MAS on July 17. That time is amid the slower summer season for the firm. Taking her chair at MAS is Olga De la Torre, who Cornelius described as “my right hand and my left hand for the last 20 years.”

Cornelius’ plans for a retirement party are indefinitely postponed until concerns about COVID-19 clear.

“I am grateful for 50-some years in this industry,” she said. Cornelius will greatly miss her industry friends, but also plans to remain close.

She said that she and Richard agreed two years ago to build a backyard pool at their Rio Rico home. That plan will now become a reality.

She said she will continue her deep involvement with the Nogales produce community to support the Santa Cruz County Boys & Girls Club.

“I also want to literally take time to smell the roses,” as she maintains a beautiful garden at her home.