Nanette Rodriguez

Born to the late Eduardo “Dandoy” Celespara Cornillez and Potenciana “Cianing” Reyes on September 28, 1940 in Baguio City, Philippines, she migrated to Los Angeles, California in the early 70s, where, a few years later, she met and married Lito Rodriguez. From this union was born their only child, Caroline, on August 12, 1981. Sadly, they parted ways not long after and Nanette raised her daughter as best as she could as a single mom. Later, mother and daughter moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where Nanette continued to reside for 26 years.

Nanette had a passion for jewelries and loved to cook and bake. She was also a pious church-goer and, inevitably, she struck a close friendship with priests and co-parishioners alike in whatever parish she supported. She was an avid Marian devotee and enjoyed sharing prayer and novena cards and was always willing to help intercede for one’s spiritual intentions. Through the years, she developed a close circle of friends and was active in prayer groups.

In July 2019, she suffered from a tragic falling accident that necessitated her admission at Palm Valley Rehabilitation and Care Center, where she stayed for more than 3 years until her death. She made friends in no time among the staff, nurses and fellow patients. Nurse Alma, in particular, lovingly took care of her as her second mom. She was known for her jokes, her infectious smile and her kind and compassionate spirit, interspersed at times with her sullen disposition attributed to the medical challenges she faced.

Nanette was preceded in death by her father, Eduardo Celespara Cornillez, her mother, Potenciana Reyes, her brother, Anthony Cornillez, and her sister, Neria Cornillez Garcia. She is survived by her ex-husband, Lito Rodriguez, her daughter, Caroline Rodriguez Da-Anoy, her grandchildren, DeMarcos Champion and Isabella Rodriguez and Zarah Da-Anoy, her son-in-law, Matthew Da-Anoy, her brothers, Alfred and Joe Cornillez, her brother-in-law, Isagani Garcia, her sisters-in-law, Lucille Aquino Cornillez, Tita Carpina Cornillez and Alice del Barrio Cornillez.

A visitation and memorial service will begin at 5:00pm, Saturday, April 1 at Thompson Funeral Chapel.