We are gathered in the memory of my mother, Maria Padron Rodriguez, so that together we may acknowledge and share both our joy in the gift that her life was to us and the pain that her passing brings.  In sharing the joy and the pain together today, may we lessen the pain and remember more clearly the joy.

My mom, Maria Rodriguez was 89 when she passed away peacefully on June 6th, 2021.  She was born on April 17, 1932 in Marianao, Cuba to Andres Padon Rodriguez and Josefina Pelayo.  She was the youngest of 6 children.  She started working at an early age to help support the family.

When she was 22, she met the love of her life, my father, Orlando Rodriguez.  They were soon married on September 8, 1957.  Then in 1958, they immigrated to the United States and moved to Bronx, New York.  Soon after moving, she had 3 wonderful children (well at least 2) Orlando Rolando and Maria.  Briefly living in Connecticut and Miami then settling in Hollywood, Florida.

Mom was always smiling.  She found humor in just about everything even if no one else laughing.  She devoted her life to her family, her husband and her kids.  We all meant the world to her.  She had a way of making each one of us feel special and loved.

She will be remembered most as a loving and devoted wife to my father, Orlando who preceded her in death on January 21 of this year. And as a loving mother to Orlando, Rolando and Maria as well as an awesome grandmother to Vanessa, Chanelle Ramon and AJ plus her 11 great grandchildren. Jah’Lissa Jayla, Julian, Mayleen, Alyssa, Ramon Jr., Finlay, Austy, Gavin, Devin and Landon.

She was my rock.  I will miss her unbelievably everyday but she is exactly where she want to be next to my father and the love of her life.

Rest in peace Mami.