Obituary of Yolanda V. Rodriguez

Services will be held in Santa Cruz on Thursday for Yolanda Rodriguez who passed away peacefully at her Santa Cruz home on November 28, 2011 following a brave battle that she fought with cancer. Her loving family was at her bedside. Born in Lima, Peru, she was 82 years old. She moved to Santa Cruz in 1963 when her husband, Manuel, who emigrated from Peru three years earlier, sent for his loving wife and children to come make their home here. Mrs. Rodriguez raised her children here and was active in their education at the newly built Natural Bridges School. She worked for a time at Santa Cruz Community Action Board and later her and her husband volunteered their time with California Gray Bears, and Meals on Wheels. She was a fantastic cook, and her family will cherish the many memories of her generosity in feeding friends and neighbors. She was an accomplished singer and dancer, and she and her late husband proudly passed on to their children both culture and art form of their heritage. She is survived by her daughter, son in-law and granddaughter, Yelcka Huaynalaya, Wesley Willis and Danielle Willis; her son, daughter in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren, Manuel Rodriguez Jr. Tracy Nall, Sonya Rodriguez, Ian Clark, Shannon Clark, Sephyroth, Syris and Aiyana Rodriguez; her son, daughter in-law and grandchildren, Tony Rodriguez Amber Silva, Rudy, Vincent, Benjamin & Anastasia Rodriguez; her daughter, son in-law and grandchildren, Sasha, Jeff , Jacqueline & Franklin Ramirez; her daughter in-law and son in-law Sheila Rodriguez & Rick Riley; her sisters Rosa Braidotti and Consuelito Neyra of Los Angeles; brothers and sisters, Hanny Neyra, Adan Neyra, Leonor Neyra, Marina Neyra, Jose Abel Neyra and many relatives and extended family in Peru. Yolanda was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Manuel, in 2005, and their daughter Jacqueline in 1985. Yolanda will always be remembered for her generous heart, her beautiful smile, her contagious laugh, her great sense of humor and her warm hugs. Recitation of the Holy Rosary and the Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2011, at Holy Cross Church (126 High Street) in Santa Cruz, beginning at 11 a.m. Immediately following the mass, friends and family will gather at Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel to celebrate Yolanda's life with a video and music tribute. Burial at Holy Cross Cemetery will be private. Any kind acts of charity may be made in Yolanda's name to the American Cancer Society. To light a candle for Yolanda and share your condolences with the family, please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com