Adoracion Esteban Rodriguez, 93, passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 24, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Adoracion was born in Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite, Philippines on February 12, 1933, to the late Fortunado Samucao Esteban and Maria Loudres Manalaysay Legaspi. She married US Navy serviceman, Esteban Cajulis Rodriguez, Jr. (April 21, 1933 - June 3, 2022), on April 27, 1957. Their marriage spanned over 6 decades and included raising five children, and living in homes located across the world including: Subic Bay, Philippines / Vallejo, CA / Forrestal Village, Great Lakes, IL / Beach Park, IL / Winthrop Harbor, IL / Jacksonville, FL. She was everyone’s Nanay, a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, sister, and cherished friend.
In her teens, Adoracion studied beauty school and opened a small “sari-sari” store. Adoracion loved fashion and learned to always look her best. She spent her life devoted to her family. She worked 2nd and 3rd shift jobs to make ends meet and made sure the family was always safe and secure. After retirement, she continued to devote her life to raising her children, always emphasizing the importance of family values, religion, education and financial security. She enjoyed supporting the Filipino American communities in Chicago and Jacksonville. She built a network of friends to help and support her passion to give back and support society. She loved cooking, sewing and playing slot machines at the casino.
She is survived by her sisters, Auring Medina in CA, Lydia Javier in Bacoor, Philippines and brother Romy Esteban, Cavite Philippines, and her five children Danny, Diane (Bien) Balay, Darlene (Archie) Mangalindan, Dennis (Karen), and Dory; eight grandchildren Amelia (Matt) Wray, Danny Jr., Steve (Casey), Andrew, Patrick, Olivia, Lucia, Daria; and two great grandchildren, Isabella Wray and Serafina Rodriguez. She is preceded in death by her parents, Fortunato Samucao Esteban and Maria Loudres Manalaysay Legaspi, husband Esteban Cajulis Rodriguez, Jr., sisters, Enelita Esteban, Adelina Sayoc, Domingo Esteban, Remedios Malvar, Sicap Esteban, Norma Esteban, and son-in-law, Bienvenido Balay.
Adoracion's strength, love for life, contagious laughter and sense of humor will be forever missed by her family and friends, who loved talking with her and listening to her stories of the past.
A visitation for Adoracion will be held on October 4, 2026, from 5pm-8pm, at Hardage-Giddens Chapel Hills Funeral Home, 850 St Johns Bluff Road North, Jacksonville, FL 32225. A funeral mass will be held on October 5, 2026 at 11:00am at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, 10472 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246. A committal service will occur following the funeral mass on October 5, 2026, at 12:30pm at Hardage-Giddens Chapel Hills Funeral Home, 850 St Johns Bluff Road North, Jacksonville, FL 32225.
Floral tributes in white (her favorite flower color) may be sent to Hardage-Giddens Chapel Hills Funeral Home, 850 St Johns Bluff Road North, Jacksonville, FL 32225, prior to the service.
