Sandra Margarita Rodriguez

In a way it’s kind of poetic that she left us on Valentine’s Day

because the amount of love she gave to everyone was immeasurable. She

is why I am the way I am.

She was born August 26, 1958 in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico and is the

first child of Luis Aviles Gerena and Margarita Gonzalez Gonzalez.

In the summer of 1977, she married my father Jose Manuel Rodriguez and

they have been married for 43 years. Their love is something I aspire

to have one day.

A few years later came my sister Samara and then me (Jessica).

Growing up my mom worked for Child Youth Services on the military

bases where we lived. She loved working with little children and as

you can imagine, working with toddlers takes a lot of patience. She

taught me patience. She was the most patient person. She taught me

kindness. And she passed on a killer sense of style and grace.

She also taught me to follow through on what I start and that she

would be proud of me no matter what. Well she was proud and I am proud

of her. I am proud of the battle she fought against cancer, but also

the life she built here with us. She has given me the opportunity to

be successful and no matter what I will continue to make her proud.

Her funeral will be held on Monday, February 22, 2021 at 2:00pm at

Pike’s Peak National Cemetery followed by a private celebration of

life at the family home.