Rosa Amalia Rodriguez

It is with a sad heart that we announce the passing of Rosa Amalia Rodriguez.  Rosa left us in the early morning hours of January 8th, 2025.   She leaves behind a legacy of unconditional love, resiliency, and a commitment to her family. She is survived by her two children, Laura and Nestor, her son-in-law, Martin, and her daughter-in-law, Melanie, her grandchildren David, Josh, Caitlin, Jon, Di, Megan, Jared, Marco, and Jude, her two great-grandchildren Jorah and Kian and a myriad of cousins.  We are a large family. We have lost our matriarch.

Rosa was born on May 24th, 1927, in Yauco, Puerto Rico. Her parents, Jose Demetrio and Maria Virgina had 6 children. Her family lived on a small farm surrounded by a closely knit extended family. When she was 11 years old, Rosa went to live in Guanica with relatives after her father suddenly died.   Sad and lonely, she used to watch the school band practice on her way back from school.  One boy would break ranks to meet her, and she always remembered him fondly. Many years later they would find each other again.  Nestor and Rosa married on November 25, 1954.

After WWII there was a shortage of teachers on the island.  Rosa seized this opportunity, and she became one just after graduating from High School. This allowed her to help her family, save money, and eventually join her older brother in New Jersey.  She worked hard, obtained a degree at Glassboro Teacher’s College, and eventually moved to Philadelphia.  She worked many jobs to get ahead but ultimately became the third-grade teacher at Caribbean School in Ponce, Puerto Rico.  She was an engaged, active, and creative teacher who often was seen as the last resort for “problem” students.   As children, we cringed whenever she asked us to join her for errands since it always took three times as long to finish any task. Everyone knew her and she stopped to talk.  Even Ricky Martin was her 3rd-grade student!  At one point she earned the Teacher of the Year award.

She loved a good party and had an infectious laugh. She loved to play games and woe to the person who agreed to play dominoes with her.  She loved flowers and was an incredible gardener. She was an organizer and a social person.   After her beloved Nestor passed away, she moved to New Jersey to be closer to her children and grandchildren. We have many fond memories of celebrations, games, and gatherings that we will cherish and remember her by.  She leaves a legacy of family, love, and strength.

Donations may be made in her name to the:

Dominican Sisters of Our Lady of Fatima of the Rosary

Hacienda Santa Rita

326 KM 2.5

Guánica, Puerto Rico 00653

787-528-1673

https://hermanasdefatima.org

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