Petra Rodriguez

Petra Rodríguez Rodríguez, 91 years, of New Port Richey, Florida, passed away Tuesday morning, December 16, 2025. She was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, and graduated from Jose Gautier Benitez High School, in Caguas, Puerto Rico. She was married to Gabriel Ortiz-Cruz and had two daughters.

Petra was a woman born ahead of her times. She was adventurous, smart and the most independent woman we have ever met. She was not afraid to embark on new beginnings. When her sister used to say "I'm not going.", she would say "I'll go.", and she did. As a young girl she worked in the garment industry in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, and later on in New York. Back in Puerto Rico she found herself as a single parent with two girls to support. Petra realized she had to do more and she did! She became a business owner by opening Lourma's Driving School, in the early 1960's becoming one of the pioneer women who had this type of business, in Caguas, PR. From then on she was known as LourMa. Her new name was derived from her daughters' names, Lour for Lourdes and Ma for Madeline. The name became popular.

She was survived by her daughters Madeline Ortiz-Rodríguez and Lourdes Ortiz- Houman, her grandchildren Maniel and Nianti Bird-Ortiz, Carly M. and Tyler A. Houman; her great-grandchildren Amaya and Nehuen Bird-Suarez, Alonso and Ilana Ferrer-Bird; her brother Johnny Rodríguez Rodríguez, many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends she adored. She will forever be greatly missed!! ♥️♥️♥️

A visitation will be held at Meadowlawn Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, located at 4244 Madison Street, New Port Richey, FL 34652, on December 20, 2025, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.

The funeral service will follow at the same location from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.

A graveside service will take place at Meadowlawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens on December 20, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm.