Miriam R. Rodriguez

Miriam Ruth Rodriguez, 64, died on April 24, 2011 at her home in Orlando, Fla. after fighting cancer for four years.

“The night she died, there was such peace in the room,” said Damon Rodriguez, her oldest son. “I literally felt like her spirit was ascending to heaven. We prayed and worshipped before and after she passed.”

Miriam was born in San Juan, P.R. on December 31, 1946. Her relatives and friends describe her as a loving mother and wife who put others before herself. Her faith in Christ and family values earned the respect of friends, colleagues and acquaintances. Her wisdom remains in the hearts of many.

“She talked me out of doing things I would’ve regretted later— I shared my tears and joys with her.” said Monserrate Deida-Rodriguez, her cousin.

Miriam grew up in New York City and married Benjamin Rodriguez on March 28, 1970. They raised three children and Miriam worked as a pre-school teacher for over 25 years at various Christian schools. In June 1993, she moved to Orlando, Fla.

She loved children and even until her death, insisted she hear their laughter in her home. She volunteered to help children with special needs through Buddy Break and donated to various children’s charities such as Saint Jude Children’s Hospital. In addition, she donated to the Red Cross and Salvation Army. She was a member of South Orlando Baptist Church where she also worked in the church office and school.

“It was magical in the way she perceived things,” said Benjamin Rodriguez, her husband for 41 years. “She had such a sense of inner knowledge and a keen sense of judgment on how to work with other people.”

Miriam was a homemaker. She loved to decorate her home and make it suitable for guests and family gatherings. Her creativity is displayed on the walls of her home which are adorned with pictures of her children and grandchildren.

Along with interior design, Miriam was an artist who made jewelry and painted canvases.

“She would always finish one project and then start another one,” Benjamin said.

Her family and friends are left with a plethora of memories from the many gatherings and parties: laughing over games of Taboo and listening to her counsel—“Don’t worry about the petty things,” she’d say to her children.

She “gives her love” to them through the legacy of love, hope and humility.

She is survived by her husband, Benjamin Rodriguez; two sons and their spouses, Damon and Samantha Rodriguez, Adrien and Ruby Rodriguez; one daughter and her spouse, Amaris and Gamalier Castillo; and six grandchildren, Damon Rodriguez II, Camaryn Grace Rodriguez, Adrien James Rodriguez II, Elijah James Rodriguez, Emmanuel Rosendo Rodriguez and Jacob Phillip Vanciel.

She was preceded by the death of her mother Juanita Alberran; and brothers Eisen Deida and Johnny Deida.

Final services will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 28 at Family Funeral Care, 13001 S John Young Pkwy, Orlando, Fla. 32837. The burial will immediately follow at Rose Hill Cemetery, 1615 Old Boggy Creek Rd, Kissimmee, Fla. 34744.