Catalina Rodriguez

June 28, 1940 – December 17, 2025

Our beloved Catalina Rodriguez passed away peacefully on December 17, 2025, in Miami, Florida. She was 85 years old.

Catalina, or “Cathy” for those who knew her, was born in Cuba in 1940, and her life was shaped by family, resilience, and quiet devotion. She grew up alongside her twin sister, Mercedes (Fernandez), and her brother, Manolo (Manuel Fernandez), in Havana, surrounded by a close and loving family. As a teenager, Cathy’s life took her across borders and cultures, from Cuba to Spain, and eventually to the United States; journeys she embraced with grace, courage, and humility. Though her path spanned countries and continents, family was always her anchor.

Cathy was a woman of quiet strength and deep warmth. Blue-eyed, soft-spoken, and attentive, she had a gentle presence that made others feel seen and valued. She listened more than she spoke, loved deeply, and offered kindness freely. Her deep loyalty to her husband, her children, grandchildren, and her roots was unwavering. She shared a loving, lifelong marriage with her husband, Fermin Rodriguez. Their love and loyalty for one another was exemplary, and when Fermin passed away in 2013, Cathy carried his love with her for the rest of her life.

Cathy’s love and devotion to her family were the cornerstones of her life. As a mother to Fermin Rodriguez (Mayra Romanach), Alina Kuang (Manny Kuang), and Alex Rodriguez (Natalie Saenz), she created a warm and nurturing environment that fostered unity and togetherness. Her niece, Ivonne Lamazares (Steve Kronen), was also welcomed into the family with open arms, and Catalina treated her like one of her own. As a bookkeeper and a mother, Cathy balanced her responsibilities with love and care, establishing traditions that would be cherished for generations to come.

Catalina was known most lovingly as “Abuela Cathy.” She was a constant and cherished presence in the lives of her grandchildren: Jacquelyn (Jeff Davis), Michael, Kevin, Sophie, Scott, Brett, Mia, Emma and Julian. Whether celebrating birthday parties, attending graduations, sitting in the audience for recitals and competitions, gathering family together for holidays, sharing meals she learned to cook with love, or walking the beaches of Sanibel Island hand in hand with her grandchildren, she always showed up. She celebrated milestones big and small, offering encouragement, sweetness, and genuine pride.

Cathy is now reunited with her beloved husband, Fermin, and all the family members who went before her. She leaves behind a legacy of devotion, gentleness, and steadfast love that lives on through her children, grandchildren, and all who were fortunate enough to be known by her.

The family is deeply grateful for the life Catalina lived and the love she gave so generously. Her presence shaped generations, and her memory will continue to guide and comfort those she leaves behind.

A visitation will be held at Caballero Rivero Hialeah, located at 373 W 9 Street, Hialeah, FL, 33010, on January 2, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church, located at 15801 NW 67th Ave, Miami Lakes, FL 33014 beginning at 10:30 am on January 3, 2026.

A committal service will take place at Vista Memorial Gardens, situated at 14200 NW 57th Ave, Miami Lakes, FL, 33014, on January 3, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm.