Nelida Rodriguez

Nelida was born to Francisco Figueroa & Antonia Fernandez on November 7, 1933 in Ciales, Puerto Rico. Growing up as a young child she embraced life as an adventure. She would love being her mother’s little helper, accompanying her to work, going to the creek to wash clothes, helping her sister with young children, but most of all she loved climbing trees to pick the best fruit, climbing her rooftop to annoy her older sister and was most proud telling her stories how she would out run the boys in her neighborhood. As a young girl her dream one day was to become a Missionary and to move to the United States.

So in 1949, Nelida moved at the age of 15 from her beloved Island of Puerto Rico to New York. The first in her family, making her a pioneer to leave the island and come to the States to make a new life. Here is where Nelida embraced North Rockland as her home when she met her husband, of 48 years. They had six children and she also help raise two sisters as her own.

Nelida was employed at a New York State Institution, Letchworth Village, in New York where she retired in 1988 after 20 years of service. In January of 1990, Nelida and her husband Abraham relocated to Orlando, Florida where she resided her remaining years.

Nelida is predeceased by her husband, Abraham Nelson Rodriguez in 2009, her mother Antonia Figueroa in 1981, a brother, Francisco “Panchin” Figueroa in 2021, a sister, Carmen “Yully” Figueroa in 2024.

She is survived by her loving sister, Mary Figueroa, from Queens, New York, and her loving brother Jose “Chieto” Figueroa from Altamonte Springs, Fl. She also leaves behind a daughter, Evelyn Rodriguez and husband Roman, a son Abraham “Nelson” Rodriguez, Jr. and wife Gail, a son Irving Rodriguez and wife

Carol, a daughter, Lourdes T. Serrano and husband Stanley, a son Robert Rodriguez and wife, Anita, a son Frank L. Rodriguez and wife Naomi. In addition, there are 14 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. Along with numerous nephews, nieces and their families that she loved dearly.

A true Matriarch, Nelida in her humble and meek life displayed a posture of her life long dream. Her actions throughout the years were a Missionary work for three generations; bringing her siblings to the U.S., raising a family, always sensitive to the needs of everyone around her. Nelida leaves a Legacy of “The Love & Unity of Family”.

Nelida’s Funeral will be held on at the Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, 90 Weathersfield Ave., Altamonte Springs, Fl. 32714. (407)869-6065 The viewing is on Friday, December 27 from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm.

The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, 861 Maitland Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL. The Burial Interment will take place immediately following The Mass at: 11:30 am

Chapel Hill Cemetery, 2420 Harrell Road, Orlando, FL

The family request that in Lieu of Flowers, a donation in Nelida’s memory be made to her favorite children’s organization: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.