Amparo Rodriguez

Amparo Rodriguez, Age 94, a long life resident of Banning California passed away on March 15, 2023
after a short bout with a respiratory illness that lead to her passing.

Amparo Rodriguez was born on October 29, 1928 in Banning, California. She attended Banning Union
High School in 1944 where she was a member of the girls varsity basketball team and graduated in 1948.
In 1950, our mom met her future husband Manuel G. Rodriguez in San Bernardino, California. They went
on to date for several years and eventually got married on June 12, 1951 in Yuma, Arizona, witnessed by
her parents Louie and Frances Ortega of Banning, California. Our mom and dad went on to have four
children: Michael Rodriguez (Deceased), Martha Rocha (John), Maggie Rodriguez all from Banning, and
Martin Rodriguez from Boise, Idaho. Our mom had four grandchildren: Michael Rodriguez Jr. (Palm
Desert), Nicholas Rodriguez (Palm Desert), Natalie McCafee, her baby-girl (Boise, Idaho) and Martin
Rodriguez Jr., her baby-boy (Boise, Idaho). Four Great-Grandchildren: Mia Rodriguez, Sophia Rodriguez,
Olivia Rodriguez, and Emilio Rodriguez all from Boise, Idaho.

We also wanted to let everyone know about her best friend Emily Ramos (Neighbor/Viejas). Emily was
more than just a friend, they would talk daily, wave through the doors to each other, they gave each
other warmth and comfort. We owe Emily a great big thank you for being there for our mom and will be
forever grateful to her.

Our mom worked in the agriculture field, she also worked at the Shirt Factory, the Banning laundry,
Banning Convalescent Home where she was working as a housekeeper. She retired in 1986 and was a
homemaker for the rest of her life. One of her favorite hobbies was getting dressed up in her younger
years, riding the bus with her girlfriends, and going to the dances in San Bernardino. Another fun thing
our mom liked doing was sitting outside her house with her sisters and enjoying a cold one before all the
husbands came home from work. Our mom loved her life and all her family members. She always
reminded us of the importance of family, to support each other, and to respect each other’s feelings.
She was the foundation of our family, always putting others before herself. She lived a simple life, as
simple as anyone could live. She was always telling us; I was born here and I will pass on from here. Her
little house was her safe haven.

Amparo Rodriguez was preceded in passing by her immediate family members: Louie and Frances
Ortega (parents), Tony Ortega, Jesse Ortega, John Ortega, Richard Ortega (Brothers), Lola Menor, Mary
Lopez, Lupe Santoya, Suzy Valdivia (sisters). She also had two older siblings (Rosa and Leonard) who
passed away shortly after birth. She is survived by her sisters Stella Lopez, Terry Valdivia, and her
brother Salvador Ortega.

Her services will begin Wednesday March 29th with a viewing and Rosary from 4-8pm, with the Rosary
beginning at 7pm. Services will be held at Wiefels & Son Mortuary, 50 E. Nicolet St., Banning.
A mass will be celebrated at 10 am on Thursday March 30th at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church, 157 W.
Nicolet St., Banning. Burial will be immediately following the mass at San Gorgonio Memorial Park, 2201
N. San Gorgonio Ave., Banning

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