Rosalina M. Rodriguez

Rosalina Martin Rodriguez, age 62 of Raleigh, NC, passed away on Monday, December 10, 2012. She was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico to the late Rosa Garrido and Miguel Martin on November 23, 1950. Rosalina spent her childhood in Caguas, Puerto Rico where she grew up alongside her sister and two brothers â€“ Vivienne, Francisco and Miguel. Her childhood home was next door to her beloved grandparents who were a lasting influence throughout her life. She received a bachelorâ€™s degree in biology from the University of Puerto Rico. On December 28, 1973 she married Jesus Rodriguez and the following year they moved to Maryland, where they lived for six years. In 1980, they moved to Raleigh, NC with their three young children. While raising three children and teaching mathematics at Cardinal Gibbons High School, she completed her masterâ€™s degree in Industrial Engineering from NC State University. She then began a career with the Environmental Protection Agency spanning 22 years. She devoted time and energy to many causes for which she cared deeplyâ€”from working with migrant ministry at St. Francis of Assisi soon after arriving in Raleigh, to serving on the Patient and Family Advisory Board at the UNC Cancer Center. Family and friends were Rosalinaâ€™s passion and delight. She traveled with them often to destinations both local and abroad. The ocean held a special place in her heartâ€”many lasting memories were created at Luquillo, PR and Sunset Beach, NC. She took great joy in cooking and was an avid reader. Some of her simple pleasures included picking strawberries in the spring, walking with family and friends, working in her garden, exploring new neighborhoods, and celebrating moments both big and small. She was blessed to meet and spend time with her two new grandchildren. Rosalina is survived by her husband, Jesus; her three children, Jesus, Cristina and Juan Carlos; two grandchildren, Adrian Jesus and Nyala Rosalyn; and her sister Vivienne and two brothers Francisco and Miguel. She also leaves behind many loving relatives and friends who know that she loved them dearly. The visitation will be held at 4:30 pm on Friday, December 14, 2012 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Parlor. The funeral mass will take place at 5:30 pm. The mass will be followed by the inurnment of Rosalina's ashes in the St. Francis Memorial Garden and a reception in Jacoba Hall at The Franciscan School, adjacent to the church.

Rosalina M. Rodriguez

November 23, 1950 - December 10, 2012