Merryl Gomberg-Rodrigues

Manuel Rodrigues, since 2015, of Westbrook and formerly of Clinton, Connecticut, passed away on December 6, 2025, in West Hartford spending the days and hours leading up to her passing with family by her side.

Merryl was born January 3, 1949, in New Haven, Connecticut, to the late Leatrice Klingerman Gomberg who remarried her late stepfather, Salvatore DeMatties, whom she loved and adored. Merryl previously resided in New Haven and Branford before settling in Clinton where she and Manny raised their family.

She attended and graduated from Hillhouse High School in New Haven and held many jobs and occupations over the course of her life. She was a pharmacy technician, nail technician and salon owner, coffee shop owner, and an employee at SNET. Perhaps the job that brought her the most joy was being a school bus driver for the Madison Country Day School and the Clinton Public School System/M&J Bus Company.

Merryl was an avid supporter of many causes, donating her time hitting the phones for the Democratic party across several state and Presidential campaigns. She supported women, women’s rights, Planned Parenthood, and donated to many causes in support of minorities and the under-served throughout her years.

She could make friends anywhere she went. This has only been made more obvious with her passing, as people her family wouldn’t know are told how much she was loved and will be missed by nurses, doctors, pharmacists, bank tellers, pest control technicians, receptionists, and more that she has left her own unique indelible mark on.

Merryl is survived and will be dearly missed by her son Joshua Rodrigues and his wife Kaitlyn of Clinton, Connecticut, and daughter Rebeccah Rodrigues of Orlando, Florida.

Her four grandchildren whom she completely adored, Olivia and Elijah Rodrigues, and Mollie and Liam Metlen.

Her devoted cousin, David Kaye, and his wife, Linda, who gave her the gift of their time and love in her final months. And her loving cousin, Dr. Richard Rome, and wife, Barbara, who checked in regularly from afar in Texas.

Merryl is also survived by many special friends and neighbors she met across the journey of her life, who will miss her greatly.

Merryl's family would like to express their gratitude to the Connecticut Behavioral Health Hospital staff for their care for her in her final months.

Funeral services & burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to: Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org.