Helen Eleanor Rodriguez July 28, 1921Oct. 2, 2012 Resident of Aptos Helen Eleanor Rodriguez of Santa Cruz, passed peacefully on October 2, 2012, surrounded by family. Born on July 28, 1921 on a ranch in Laguna, south of Davenport, Ca. to Carlo and Angelina Doglione. Helen lived her entire life in Santa Cruz County, graduating from Santa Cruz High School. On October 12, 1946, she married Joseph Frank Rodriguez and together they raised their family. Helen was a stay-at-home mom to her daughters, until they entered school; then went to work at Santa Cruz High School in the cafeteria. After a few years, she joined the staff at UCSC, preparing breakfast and lunch at Cowell-Stevenson College, until retiring to care for her husband. Helen was an avid bowler and San Francisco Giant and 49ers fan. She enjoyed camping and fishing with her family, and travels to Canada and Washington State to visit family. She loved to cook, providing goodies to many friends and family through the years. While raising her family, vegetable gardening was a passion; canning much of the bounty from the garden for use during the year. Helen was preceded in death by her parents; husband Joseph; daughter Katherine and brothers Domenico, Pietro and sister Mary Julia. She is survived by her two daughters Terry Petty and husband Marc from Lakeside, Or. and Frances Botzon and husband Mike from Aptos, Ca.; 2 grandchildren, Roseann and Amie; 3 great-grand children; and many nieces and nephews. To honor her love of animals, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Center for Protection and Education (CAPE) Animal Rescue, P. O. Box 67176, Scotts Valley, CA 95076 A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Patrick and Debbie Carroll, Ave Maria Chapel, Watsonville, CA.
Published in Santa Cruz Sentinel on October 10, 2012
