Norma Rodriguez was born on April 7th, 1929 in Sejido, Cuba to Odilo Rodriguez and Dorila Francisca Rodriguez. She was the oldest of 8 siblings. Norma was the first woman to work in a regional sugarcane facility. She was trained in accounting and became one of her father’s most trusted business confidantes. Her intelligence, sharp wit, attention to detail and work ethic made her the best in everything she did.
After building a life at her father and mother’s side in San Juan de los Yeras, Cuba, caring for her younger brothers and sisters, developing a professional career as a trailblazing woman, Norma and her family were forced to resettle in the United States. Uprooted into a new culture, the family, started over.
Norma, like the rest of her sisters and brothers, had to find work upon arriving in the United States to help make ends meet. Just like in Cuba, it was all for one and one for all. Norma had a few jobs, from working in a laundromat to being a custodian at the University of Michigan. No matter where she worked or what she did, Norma inevitably was recognized as a respected authority figure — even if she wasn’t the boss — based on her sterling personal integrity, her deep personal experience and her intelligence.
Within the Rodriguez-Rey-Hernandez-Murrell-Sloshay family, Norma was the center of the universe, the glue that held things together and the guiding star. She dedicated her life to loving her family effortlessly and with great pride. Her devotion to her faith and family was unparalleled. Norma was the most selfless of souls and gained so much from giving to others. She was a reliable source of comfort in good times and bad. She remains the undefeated in all Uno and Domino face offs and wore that badge with honor. Occasionally showing mercy for only her great nieces and nephew. Her love of nature was evident in her flawless garden and meticulously manicured yard.
While Norma never physically had children, she helped raise her sisters and brothers, their children, and their children’s children. Her greatest joy in life was seeing the ones she loved healthy and happy. She was more than an aunt, she was a mother, a counsel, a beacon of fortitude and an outpouring of acceptance and unconditional love. She is survived by 2 sisters, Carmen and Angelina. Four nieces, Carmen, Lucy, Alicia and Elise. 2 nephews, Juan-Carlos and Lance as well as 2 great nieces Natalia and Brooklyn and one great nephew, Alex.
A Celebration of Life will be held September 16th, 2022 at St. Mary’s Student Parish at 10:00 AM.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.muehligannarbor.com for the Rodriguez family.
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