Haydee Rodriguez

Haydee Rodriguez, 95, was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and died in Sunrise, Florida on November 7, 2017. She is survived by her beloved husband Andres; son Andrew; daughter, Enid; granddaughter, Liesel; great granddaughter, Jana; grandson, Aaron, and great great grandson, Axton James.  The marriage of Haydee and Andres lasted seventy-two years.  Haydee was a nurse who left her native PR to move to NYC in 1945. She traveled with her adopted son Ralphy, whose mom had passed away at the age of three years, and who was her husband to be baby brother, above all, she worked to facilitate for her parents and four sisters as the chosen matriarch of her entire family to travel to NYC including childhood friends who came along with them. Haydee strongly supported her son Andrew to become a NYC English teacher, then further helped him to fulfill his goals to obtain an education doctorate degree; and Haydee assisted her daughter to become an accomplished bilingual teacher.  The love of her life was her family; she graciously shared her family love with neighbors, friends and people who met her of every diverse culture especially children who always reciprocated her love with so much joy.  She volunteered along with her daughter Enid to serve NYC Catholic Schools attended by her children and grandchildren throughout her lifetime. Haydee moved to Florida in 1976 as a permanent resident but commuted between Florida and NYC up to 2003, assuring her son and daughter that she was there with the as a mentor, counselor, friend and their best teacher in their neediest times to grow personally and professionally.  Haydee loved traditional Puerto Rican music and sang beautifully the songs of Rafael Hernandez her favorite musician, and composer among many others.  She joined Central West/Centro Oeste Adult Day Care Center of Davie, Florida in the year 2008; she loved her Centro Oeste peers and staff-what special caring and loving place she has held in her heart for nine years which she attended daily up to a week before she left us.  She blew her loving kisses to all who passed by her with a greeting and smile, especially children--English or Spanish, her favorite words to them: “God Bless You”.  Haydee will be viewed by family, neighbors, and friends at T.M. Ralph Funeral Home Sawgrass/Weston, Thursday, from 5:00 PM-8:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, 12:30PM, All Saints Catholic Church, with interment following at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery.    Her son, Andrew and other Pallbearers’ are Alfred Arzuaga, and Liesel, and Honorary Pallbears are Aaron and Jana.  Donations may be made in her loving memory to: St. Jude Children’s Hospital.