Isabelle Mendoza

Isabelle was a native San Diegan, the third child of ten children born to Adolfo and Jesus Rodriguez. She was the first-born daughter and with that distinction came many responsibilities that would serve to benefit her adult life. She was a natural leader and quick decision maker. By the tender age of ten she was her mother's main helper by cooking and caring for the family. She became "the one" her siblings looked up to for guidance.

She graduated from San Diego High School and met and married the love of her life, Tony Mendoza. God blessed them with two daughters; Andrea and Lori and sixty-six memorable years of marriage. Her beloved Tony predeceased her in May 2004.

While shouldering the responsibilities of a wife and mother, Isabelle heard the call for help in supporting World War II efforts; she became "Rosie the Riveter" working at Rohr Aircraft Industry. Although small in stature, she was a giant supporter in her line of work, well respected and well liked by all who knew her. Today, her children lovingly remember her as a "tough cookie", a strong woman and the glue that held their family together through thick and thin. Upon her retirement she took to doing word-search puzzles to keep her mind razor sharp. Her passion however was spending leisure time with her five grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking for them and making time to sit and savor the small things such as coloring in their books alongside them. Her spunk and zest for life are qualities she will remembered for by family and friends alike.

Isabelle is survived by her daughters; Andrea Montez and Lori Welmas and four siblings; Anna Flores, Alfred Rodriguez, Adrian Gomez and John Gomez. In addition, her legacy includes five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

A celebration of her life and visitation will be held at Funeraria Del Angel Humphrey, 753 Broadway, Chula Vista, California, 91910 on Sunday, July 16, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A vigil prayer service will promptly start at 7:00 p.m. On Monday, July 17, 2017 a funeral service will be offered, same location, at 10:00 a.m. officiated by Father Dermot Rodgers. She will be laid to rest next to her husband at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in San Diego.