Tributes

On January 26th, our loving Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Sister joined our Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ in heaven. She was loved and respected by her family, friends, co-workers and fellow parishioners. Mary has always been described as a strong, compassionate leader with firm convictions and a deep faith and love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Mom was born into a family of 13 in the Netherlands, the 9th of 11 children. When WW II began and during the occupation of the Netherlands, Mary, in her early years was courageous and instrumental in helping her family get through some very dangerous and difficult times. After the war she met her husband, Clarence, then serving in the U.S. Military stationed in the Netherlands. They married, moved to the United States, settling in Arvin, California, where she and Dad started farming sweet potatoes to support their growing family. Moms faith in God and determination were formed by both her early experiences in the Netherlands and the trying times she and Dad experienced in the late 1940s while farming. They moved the farm to Turlock in the 60s and Mom sought work outside of the home which led her to a career in pubic service, including Social Services, Teaching and Real-estate. She was always looking to help the new home buyer find the right deal. She has always used her talents to find ways to help those in need. Mary has been a faithful member of Sacred Heart Parish in Turlock, where she participated as a member of the Third Order of Lay Carmelites, YLI, and where she attended daily Masses and rosaries. Mary is survived by her sister Jane Vandborg of Bakersfield and brother Jan Thissen of the Netherlands Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Clarence Rodrigues. She is survived by her children, Paul Rodrigues, Jim Rodrigues, MaryAnn Rodrigues, Marlissa Carlson and her husband, Gregg, all of Turlock and John Rodrigues and his wife, Linda, of Hanford. Eight grandchildren: Rita Rodrigues, Lisa Carlson, Chase Carlson, Brent Carlson, Joshua Rodrigues, all of Turlock and Tracy Rodrigues, Terry Rodrigues, Jessica Brooks and three great grandchildren, all of Hanford. Remembrances can be made to Saint Vincent de Paul Society.

Tributes

Mary H. Rodrigues

September 10, 1922 - January 26, 2009