Maria L. Rodriguez

Maria L. Rodriguez, 81, of Worcester, passed away on Friday, June 29, 2018, in the comfort of her home, surrounded by loving family.  Her passing reunites her in Heaven with her son, Charlie, who passed in 2005.

Maria leaves her daughter, Gladys Rodriguez-Parker of Worcester; six sons, William Rodriguez of Orlando, Moses Rodriguez, Frederick Rodriguez, and Angel Rodriguez, all of Worcester, Micke Rodriguez of Wrentham, and Eddie Rodriguez of Webster; three brothers, Dionicio Rodriguez and José Rodriguez both in Puerto Rico, and Estervino Rodriguez in California; two sisters, Fabiana Alicea of Marlborough, and Rosa Rodriguez in Florida; twenty-one grandchildren; over thirty great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.  Maria was born in Cerro Gordo, San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, daughter of the late, Pedro and Cruzita Rodriguez. 

She grew up in Puerto Rico and worked hard as a farmer, to make a better life for her children.  In 1970, she moved her family to Worcester, where she raised a loving family, while continuing to work hard.  Maria retired from the Marriott Hotel in Worcester, when they closed, having been the most senior person to work the house keeping department.  She often joked that she saw many managers come and go, but her work ethic never changed.

Maria loved to be surrounded by people and often socialized with friends and family.  Her beliefs were strong and she became very active in local and national politics, attending many rallies and voicing her opinion for the common good; she was instrumental, during the 1970s, in establishing bi-lingual education in Massachusetts .  Her family, in particular her grandchildren, brought her great joy and they lovingly called her their “Little Package”, a reference to her small stature.  She loved to cook, play Dominoes and stay active with long walks. 

The matriarch of the family has passed, but her love and life lessons will live on in her children, grandchildren, and all those who had the pleasure of knowing her.

Calling Hours will be on Thursday, July 5, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester.  Her Funeral Mass will be on Friday, July 6, at 10 a.m. in Saint Joan of Arc Church, 570 Lincoln Street, Worcester.  Interment will follow at Hope Cemetery, Worcester

Donations in her memory may be made to the Joslin Diabetes Center, 1 Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02215 or by visiting www.joslin.org.