Lillian Melendez

Lillian was born on May 28, 1952 in Manhattan, New York to Acisclo Melendez and Anna Luz (Torres) Melendez. She attended High School in New York and attended Lehman College for a couple of Semesters. On September 20, 1982, she married Angel Efrain Rodriguez. They had two sons, Angel Efrain Rodriguez Jr. and Roberto Rodriguez. She was widowed in 1990.

Lillian Graduated from Escuela Ministerial Antioquia and finished the post graduate program on June 23th 2012 at the Mizpah Bible Institute.

She was a strong pillar in her church wherever she went, first in Puerto Rico, New York, Woonsocket (Rhode Island), and Framingham MA.

Lillian was a longtime member of the congregation at Iglesia Pentecostal y Misionera de Framingham. There she taught bible studies for kids and young adults. She also served as acting secretary and treasurer. She helped wherever and whenever needed. No task was too big or small. She was strong and steadfast in her belief.

Lillian’s work as a longtime HIV Peer leader and an activist for people living with HIV in the Metro West area started in the late 1980s. She had an endearing commitment to serving Latinx in Framingham at the height of the AIDS epidemic.

Lillian volunteered in our programs, in the community and within her church for many years. She led “charlas,” or talks, to educate the community about AIDS and healthy living. She focused and delivered her messages on the importance of treatment adherence, health promotion and prevention. She spent over 20 years supporting our programs and our clients regardless of her own needs.

For more than 20 years, Lillian supported JRI’s growth as a leader in HIV Peer services in the MetroWest area. She led targeted Mental Health and HIV/AIDS Awareness Services, community-centered initiatives that prioritized communities most impacted by HIV. Such initiatives included the “Hablemos Entre Familia” a Mental Health “charlas” delivered to Latinx, Brazilians and other ethnic groups.

A decade ago, Lillian pioneered the Women’s and Latino Groups in Framingham. Those groups were the most attended ones at Health Awareness Services and JRI Health. Lillian’s compassionate and caring approach to clients served and contributed a lot to the success of these group meetings. She touched so many lives through that endeavor. Regardless of personal, tough challenges she herself was facing, Lillian always showed up with an amazing smile and a high spirit to each of her group meetings. Lillian always took the time to call each and everyone of her clients on a weekly basis for check-in that would long beyond the required service units such phone calls would allow.

She was the model Peer Leader at Program RISE and her dedication was beyond what anyone would have ever expected from her in regards to her own life and health challenges

Lillian’s sense of humor and radiating love of people, her comprehensive knowledge of HIV issues and her sensitivity towards people’s most pressing needs provided a rich balance to the critical and difficult work she performed during her career.

Lillian’s beautiful smile would light up the room and open the coldest hearts during her time with JRI Health. Her leadership at Program RISE and in the MetroWest community has transformed the lives of many people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Lillian’s love for her children was incomparable. She had the same motherly commitment to them as she had for her activism. She was a fierce advocate for her son’s rights and for those she cared about or served. Those who know her well were personally touched by her resilience.

Lillian’s legacy will always live in every one of us because she left a seed that will always inspire us to do more for those we love and for our community. Her family and all those she touched, are forever be grateful for all she has done to support each and every one whose path she crossed

We are grateful and humbled to have called her a mother, student, sister, teacher, sister in christ, secretary, missionary, treasurer, a colleague and a friend.

May you rest in peace Lillian!

May you rest in peace with those you love!

You will always be in our hearts

Lillian was preceded in death by her father, Acisclo, her mother, Ana, her Sister, Edna, and her brother Joe. She is survived by her Two children, Angel and Roberto. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 23th, 2021 at 10:45am in Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services 318 Union Avenue, Framinham, MA. Relatives and Friends are invited and may call from 9:00 until the hour of service.