Maria Rodriguez

It is with both sorrow and joy that we announce the transition of the courageous and dedicated Maria Cristina Rodriguez on November 26, 2023. Born on April 9, 1945, in Carolina, Puerto Rico, Maria moved to Springfield, Massachusetts, where she lived for 52 years and made a home filled with love and laughter. Maria, a spirited and resilient woman, lived a life that was a testament to her faith and the power of love.

Maria was a devoted wife to Candido Molina, with whom she shared endless moments of love. Throughout her life, she was an exemplary agriculturalist before retirement, and a passionate Ambassador Member of MGM Casino, Foxwoods, and Mohegan Sun. There was no limit to Maria's dedication. She was a beacon of resilience, navigating life's ups and downs with grace and unwavering faith. The Apostle Paul's words in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith," perfectly encapsulate Maria's journey on earth.

Maria will be remembered as a loving wife to Candido Molina, a nurturing mother to Zoraida Sanchez-Mangual, Robin Perez, Ana Cedillo, Luis Rios, Marilyn Sanchez, Ana Colon, and Jose Reyes. She was a guiding light to her sons-in-law Eriberto Cedillo, Jaime Mangual, J. Guzman, as well as her daughters-in-law Cecilia Santiago, Alma Vazquez and Niulka Fernandez. Her siblings, Wanda and Jose Rodriguez, will remember her for her boundless love and unwavering spirit. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jose and Angelina; her son, Jose Colon; and her grandsons, Giovanie Ramos and Joshua Sanchez. One of Maria's greatest achievements was the joy of being the matriarch to her 39 grandchildren, 68 great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild. Her family was her pride and joy, the source of her strength, and the inspiration for her unyielding resilience.

As the renowned poet Maya Angelou once said, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." This quote encapsulates Maria's essence. Her memory will forever be etched in the hearts of her loved ones.

A visitation hours will be held at Puerta Del Cielo® Funeral Home, 730 State Street, Springfield, Massachusetts, on Thursday, November 30, 2023, from 6:00pm to 8:00 PM., and Friday, December 1st, 2023, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, followed by her burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, 426 Bay Street, Springfield, MA.

We invite you to join us in celebrating Maria's life by sharing memories, photos, and stories on her memorial page. The stories of our beloved Maria will continue to live on in each of us, reminding us of her spirited, resilient, and courageous nature.