Renee Irene Rodriquez

Renee Irene Rodriguez was born on a day when many people like to dress up their children in costume and parade them through the neighborhood, knocking on strangers doors seeking tricks or treats. But Renee was born a treat because she was so sweet. Born to Maxine and Joe Rocha, she was the second oldest child and the oldest daughter which meant many days of babysitting her younger brother and sister, John and Debbie. Renee grew up in the country on the Yakima Golding Farms in Toppenish, Washington, surrounded by hop fields and migrant workers. She enjoyed singing, riding her bike and playing with animals. Which are hobbies that she never outgrew. Her voice was a blessing to all who heard her sing, but especially to the Churches she attended where she often stood on stage, alone, singing songs of praise without instrumental accompaniment, driving her oldest daughter, Paula crazy with stage fright. While attending McKinley Elementary school, she was on the Safety Patrol where she helped kids cross the road to school and she loved the way she could help people and keep them safe. This led to her strong desire to become a police woman, which would have been quite a feat at the time, however it was not to be, because she instead chose to get married. Renee was a happy girl who was nice to everyone she would meet. She enjoyed riding her bike around the Golding Farms where her dad worked and had a family home, catching the eyes of many young men, including the love of her life, Jessie Rodriguez, who noticed her riding by, but was equally attracted to her sweetness and kindness. “Everyone loved her, young people and old people alike. She wasn’t like all the other girls”, which instilled in him the desire to protect her. A whirlwind, romance ensued and much to her parents chagrin, she chose to leave school early, get married and work with Jessie as they traveled the farm worker circuit annually from Texas to Washington for several years until they chose to settle down and move back to the Toppenish Golding Farms, where they happily moved into their first home. The first four years of marriage were not easy as they did not have a car. So they had to walk to the city of Toppenish to purchase groceries, even in knee deep snow. But they were quite resilient and while Jessie became the family breadwinner, Renee made the house a home becoming a fantastic cook, amazing seamstress, and a wonderful wife and mother. She enjoyed sewing and crocheting and designed many of her children’s holiday costumes. She and even made her oldest daughter’s freshman formal dress because they couldn’t afford to buy one. It was a beautiful dress and Paula was very proud of it. Renee also was able to volunteer as a chaperone for many of her daughters school field trips, often driving her daughter and their friends to choir contests throughout the Northwest. She could also be heard enthusiastically screaming for her children at sporting events. And don’t forget the times she chaperoned her daughter’s first dances (much to their displeasure) At the age of 36, when her daughters were older, she wanted to contribute financially to the family so she studied and quickly passed her GED, graduating with special recognition in 1984, the same year her oldest daughter graduated from high school. Shortly thereafter she began working for Silgan in Toppenish where she eventually moved up to the Quality Control division, for which she was very proud. But working at Silgan was not easy. It was shift work. So while her children, Mr. and her husband worried about her, she never complained and worked hard, putting 100% into supporting her family, while still preparing their meals and getting them prepared for school. She worked there for over 25 years. During that time she suffered a serious accident where she fell from a very high platform receiving a head injury, thirteen cracks in seven ribs and serious injuries to her hands and legs, but again, like a trooper she would never complain. And while there were times that management tried to force her to resign, she was committed to her goal of retiring after 25 years with a full pension to help make a better life for her husband and children. If there’s something in common that people will share about Renee is that she had a beautiful smile and was as sweet as they come. She had no enemies, and was always willing to offer a helping hand to those in need. As a Christian woman, she chose to tithe by contributing to her favorite charities throughout her life. Of course being a good Christian does not mean that you will not have difficulties or challenges and for a brief period, her marriage entered into a painful separation, but they reconciled and true to her love and her marriage vows she surprised everyone when she made a loving commitment to treat a newborn named Jesse as her own. Just another example of the loving heart that she had, as she led the world by example. It is no secret to anyone that her love for her husband Jesse continued to grow throughout her life up to the day she died, as she was a living example of Gods Love (1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-7) Renee had three grandchildren who she loved very much often driving three hours round-trip just to spend time with her youngest daughter Victoria and her children, Alexandra and Nathaniel, where they would spend many afternoons shopping in craft stores, laughing over meals and enjoying each other‘s company. Going to the Central Washington State Fair was an annual event they attended together until Covid hit and those those days will be sorely missed. Renee was the biggest supporter for all her grandchildren, including her youngest grandson, Grayson who she championed through his struggles with HF Autism, often making sure that teachers and principles gave him a fair chance when autism or opinions seemed to be a barrier. Through her loving support he graduated from Eisenhower high school during Covid and was accepted into the Douglas Honors College at CWU, making her a very proud grandma. Over the last few years, Renee struggled with seriously painful injuries to her hip and femur which eventually graduated into other serious illnesses. She was in constant uncontrolled pain, but never complained like the proud, determined and unselfish woman she was, soldiering through it all with so much dignity and grace offering hope and unwavering kindness still, to all she met. It has been very difficult for her husband and her family to watch her traverse life through this pain. She is Truly Beloved. Renee is survived by her devoted husband, Jessie Maria Rodriguez, Mother Maxine Rocha, daughter Paula Fay Rodriquez and Grandson Grayson Robert Rodriquez-Hewitt, daughter Victoria Maria Jo (Russell) Hall and grandchildren Nathaniel Curtis and Alexandra Haley Curtis, “adopted’ son Jesse Rodriquez, sister Debra ( Juan Eddy )Orozco, brother, John (Lencha) Rocha, as well as countless brothers and sister in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and most especially her beloved outside feral cats and indoor pets: Moostache the attack cat and Dollar the small but mighty guard dog. In this stressful time that we seem to live, we encourage everyone to be more like Renee by being kind to strangers, smiling, even when you’re struggling, loving, even when you feel unloved, laughing, even when you want to cry and donating to the causes that make the world a better place. If you have no idea what charity to choose maybe consider one of the many that Renee supported like the World Wildlife Fund, US Olympic team, Environmental Defense Fund, St Jude’s Children’s Hospital, The Arbor Day Foundation and St Joseph’s Indian School… just to name a few.

Renee Irene Rodriquez

October 31, 1947 - February 3, 2025

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Renee Irene Rodriquez

October 31, 1947 - February 3, 2025

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365 Days of Grief Support