Maria Rodriguez

Maria Rodriguez, age 91, beloved daughter of the Late Jose Gonzalez and the late Petrona Gonzalez has passed away from this earth into the eternal presence of the Lord and peaceful rest on August 24, 2020 while in her home in Lake Worth, Florida; Maria was born in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico but had relocated many years to the US Mainland where she has resided since. Maria is the beloved widow of the late Casimiro Rodriguez whom must have been waiting to have his beloved by his side again as she closed her eyes on this earth and opened them in the skies above. IF u had been blessed to have met Maria you knew God had granted you the blessing to meet one of the most genuine souls on this earth. A woman who had nothing on her mind and heart, but to Give, to share, to love by sharing everything she had with everyone. Maria had a heart consistent with that of a virtuous woman who lived first for God then her family, brethren and all. The doors of Casimiro and Maria's house were always open, and don't think you could escape without a good cup of coffee from Maria's hands. When they moved to the United States the first resided in New York where they lived for quite a few years and there, she along with her husband served the Lord at the Segunda Iglesia Bautista Hispana in East Harlem's 102nd street before they relocated to the Bridgeport area where she resided until retirement. In Bridgeport, she and her husband both worked to support their family, and at the same time they were instrumental in the opening of a Mission Church of the Iglesia Bautista Bethel de Rio Grande, Puerto Rico but in the Bridgeport, CT area. Maria Loved the Lord with all her heart, she was a prayer warrior and if you knew her, you knew that her prayers were always answered, some immediately and some in time, but she never questioned God she knew it was the perfect Time. Her prayers at times would provide immediate results as she prayed, she invoked the Sprit of God and she would sway from side to side as she knew those prayers were being received at God's throne which would be moved by the prayers of the just. She was one of those Just ones in HIS eyes. Her faith, her heart, and declarations that she would make would motivate God to do as she prayed. She never boasted, not a prideful bone in her body, just love, humility, someone who gave all her love and asked nothing in return. After Christ the thing bringing constant smiles to her would be spending time with her family, her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and members of the Church. She was even granted the blessing of seeing her Great-Great Grandchildren all which are a product of one beautiful woman. Although she had moved to Florida, taking advantage of the warm weather, there were many people in theBridgeport area who always remembered her, and whenever they saw her, it was like picking up where they left off. They knew the amazing woman she was. No judgement was ever part of her vocabulary and all knew she loved so many and she remembered each and every one she came into contact with. She shared words of wisdom, of counsel whenever someone needed to hear but Her laughter, oh dear, that will never be forgotten as she would make the saddest moments happy, the trivial times bearable and her joy will always be missed because unique she was. There is only one like her and we all agree. Although years passed and her health declined not allowing her the opportunity to keep attending services in most recent times, She never stopped praying every chance she got, she prayed for those far, those near, but knowing God was in control everywhere! she would pray God's presence be over her family at all times, knowing that although family was protected, there was a mother, grandmother and the protector that never stopped watching out for her all her kids. A simple woman who had nothing as she shared everything, she lived to serve, God, her family and today she is reaping what she sewed! Today imagining has stopped and promises have become a reality! her spirit rejoicing in God's presence, her soul at restful peace knowing that glorious day will come. Although she left, like many, she probably always was worrying about who she would leave behind, she surely knew one thing, Her Job here was done, her responsibility unto God was fulfilled and the promises God made to her, some now are coming to pass, but the great day will come that those she left behind in this world will one day be reunited, fulfilling the ultimate promise, in the clouds on the great day of Christ's Return, why because she left the greatest legacy of all, that above all, above everything, no matter what you accomplish, reach or obtain, you MUST always have a relationship with God, knowing that without him we lose everything but with Him Having Him we gain EVERYTHING! Maria is mother to four children Gladys Epps of New York, Lillie Canning and her husband Don of New Jersey, Sylvia Moya of Lake Worth, Florida and her daughter in law Pastor Irene Rodriguez wife of the Late Pastor Roberto Rodriguez whom was her son. In addition she is survived by her sister Aurelia Gonzalez; eleven grandchildren Danielle, Billy, Lizzette, Matthew, Christopher, Kimberly, David H. Stephen, Andrew, David M. and Gabriel. 8 great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren. and a host of nieces Nephews, relatives and friends whom will dearly miss her. Friends are invited to attend calling hours on Friday, September 4, 2020 beginning at 10:30 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. at the Funeraria Luz de Paz, 426 East Washington Avenue, Bridgeport, CT followed by a Funeral Service in the Funeral Home with Pastor Irene Rodriguez Officiating. Final disposition will take place soon thereafter in the Mt. Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport, CT; An Online Memorial webpage has been established as a place where all can share thoughts, memories, prayers, pictures and so much more but is only found at the www.luzdepaz.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION REGARDING RESTRICTIONS due to COVID 19 Regulations, restrictions and policy implemented at all times within our facility! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Covid-19 Virus, the rules, regulations, limitations, and everything that has been stated by the government health officials has been challenging for all and funeral homes are not exempt from such plentiful rules and regulations. We want everyone to keep in mind, thus regulations and rules are made for the GENERAL well being and health of the public. In Connecticut we have had the bountiful Blessing to see that our efforts of committing to the guidelines set forth to prevent the exposure to the virus has not gone unrewarded, BUT we know and can clearly see around the world that getting comfortable will only create the possibility to allow all of our efforts to become null and void and all the progress we have had, be destroyed. Our State once again moves on to open and return back to normal implementing each phase, the current guidelines have determined that during viewing and visitation, and Funeral Services and these guidelines are STRICTLY adhered to and all attendees are expected to adhere to such regulations during their visit or unfortunately will be required to request such person (s) to exit our facility for the safety of all. Under no circumstance can we permit our facility to become a place where others should feel nothing less than safe and welcomed. Therefore such are the things we request all visitors to follow: - 49 persons or less would be the amount of persons permitted inside the funeral home at one given time. -Anyone outside will be able to hear the service and all announcements made throughout the evening. -anyone Inside the facility and even those outside creating the line down the back ramp to await others to exit to be granted the opportunity to enter it is REQUESTED that a 6 ft social distancing requirements be followed -Back entrance of the funeral home will be the EXCLUSIVE ENTRANCE AND EXIT throughout the entire viewing time. -Masks are REQUIRED TO ENTER -Masks are REQUIRED DURING THE ENTIRE STAY -Masks MUST cover the face and mouth during the entire stay (No exceptions) (anyone not covering their mouth and nose during their stay will be asked to leave immediately. PLEASE EVERYONE THIS IS FOR EVERYONE. -ALL FRIENDS are requested by the family and funeral home to come in when guided by funeral home staff, pay your respects, greet the family if you wish, the exit to the parking lot allowing others that may be in line to come in and do the same, BUT absolutely ONLY Blood relatives instructed by the family will remain inside the facility. Everyone's cooperation is what makes this possible and allows us to make this happen regardless of the restrictions and allowing everyone who loved, cherished and appreciated their loved one to come, pay their respects and all share time as a family, comfortably without having to go outside over and over to allow others to come in. Yet with everyone's cooperation, they remain inside as the family and everyone that comes through inspires them as the love that their loved one shared with each and everyone is supporting their hearts and minds with their presence and shared memories! We understand the cumbersome and uncomfortable nature of the wearing of masks, BUT: Consider this : YOU may run into someone ASYMPTOMATIC (they don't know, and you don't know) and suddenly your exposed because inside the building you decided, I don't like the mask covering my nose. YOU return home and expose your entire family including parents and even causing the death of someone dear to you, like a grandparent or parent as we just experienced with a family served, simply because you didn't want to be uncomfortable for 10 minutes which should be the maximum amount of time any friends would remain in the funeral home. Is it worth it? We may be young, we may be strong, and we may be "healthy" but maybe just maybe someone you run into is not and YOU are the reason they are now possibly exposed. It's not worth it, let us all work together while we are out to protect each other, protect our families, protect our homes until this invisible threat which has been a nightmare for so many, becomes a memory most want to forget! Let us work to keep the levels where they are and even lower with our help and God's guidance and blessing above all! Online Access to view the services live may be done by following directions below. Please know Viewing is DURING the viewing hours and we DO NOT record the service for later viewing! TO JOIN US VIA LAPTOP OR DESKTOP COMPUTER -please make sure your computer is connected to the internet. -open your web browser to the following address..... zoom.us -upper right hand corner you will find a button which is labeled "Join a Meeting" -the meeting ID requested at the time will be 2033308081 -the password will be 7777 -final automated steps will occur with your permission granting such access on your system to view the services as they happen. Keep in mind it will only be during the service and will not be available after the service for viewing at a later Time. IF YOUR JOINING US VIA TABLET OR TELEPHONE (IOS OR ANDROID): -please visit the google play store or Apple app store -in your search bar enter Zoom cloud meetings -Download the app onto your unit -after downloading the app, press on the app to enter -click on the button , "Join a meeting" -enter the number 2033308081 which is the meeting code -enter the pass code: 7777 -join the meeting with your camera on and the device sound, that way you will be able to see and be seen, listened and heard.