Janie Rodriguez Baldazo

Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister-in-law Janie Rodriguez Baldazo, 93, was called to our heavenly father Friday, March 10, 2023. Her fourth time battle with breast cancer and onset dementia prevented her from living in the present, but she always recognized her family and knew they were there to love, care for and protect her.

Janie was born on February 8, 1930, in Mendoza, Texas. She was a lifelong Roman Catholic with a deep, abiding faith in God and a parishioner at St Mary Cathedral. Every morning, prior to doing anything else, she would pray the rosary. Daily she prayed for all by name, including her parents, brothers, sister, nieces and nephews.

Her family moved to Austin in the 1930s. Janie attended school during a most difficult time. She loved school and excelled in it. She was very determined and believed in not letting anything get in her way. She attended Palm School and graduated from Austin High. She continued her education and graduated from Nixon-Clay Business College and Brackenridge School of Nursing. Cosmetology was intriguing to her, so she enrolled in night school and received her license. Later she went into business with Robert Foster and George Mezzetti selling door to door home goods even though the store RC Foster Mercantile was located on 6th Street she was persistent to make more money for the business and pay for her children’s catholic school. Eventually, her last venture was to work for Austin Savings as a mortgage loan processor.

Janie met the love of her life, Gilbert Baldazo, in 1941. As the years went by, they began dating in 1949 and eventually marrying after Gilbert’s return from the Korean War in 1955. Having celebrated 55 glorious years together prior to his death. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.

Janie was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Gilbert Baldazo; her parents Pablo and Maria Rodriguez; brothers Willie Rodriguez, Rod Rodriguez and sister Feliza Lewter.

Surviving Janie are her four daughters, Rowena Salazar (Mel), Reba Perez, Regina Baldazo (Angelo Gonzales), and Rosetta Baldazo (Kenneth Thierry); sister-in-law Enemencia Rodriguez, 16 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

A visitation for Janie will be held Tuesday, March 21, 2023, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar, Austin, TX 78752. A rosary service will occur Tuesday, March 21, 2023, from 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM, 6100 North Lamar, Austin, TX 78752. A funeral mass will occur Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at 1:30 PM at Saint Mary Cathedral, 203 E 10th St, Austin, TX 78701. An entombment will occur Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at 3:00 PM at Assumption Cemetery, 3650 S I-35 Frontage Rd, Austin, TX 78704.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com for the Rodriguez Baldazo family.