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Dorothy Rodriguez Obituary
Born on March 14, 1922, in Philadelphia, Pa., she was the daughter of Frank LeCount Miller and Beatrice (Chapman) Miller.
Following graduation from Williams Memorial Institute in 1940, Dorothy worked in the secretarial department of Electric Boat, where she met and married Santiago Rodriguez. They were together for 54 years before his death in 1998.
She was the devoted mother of five daughters, Diane Thompson of New London, Sandra Cannady of Groton, Linda Schoenberger of Reno, Nev., Elaine Gasconi of New London, and Eva Irene Blackburn of Waterford. She is survived by two brothers, Kenneth Miller of Norwich, Walter Miller of Groton; and a sister, Betty (Miller) Ball of Kensington, Md. Family survivors also include many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; as well as a multitude of nieces and nephews.
Dorothy became a member of Jehovah's Witnesses in July, 1958, and undoubtedly will be best remembered by the community service she engaged in as a full-time volunteer of 43 years. Her boundless energy and love for Almighty God and neighbor allowed her to highly regard this joyful aspect of her wonderful life up until failing in health this past year.
Her stay at Bayview was brief, but her family appreciates the care and concern provided by the attentive staff.
There will be a memorial service for her at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27, 2013, at the Montville High School, 800 Old Colchester Road, Oakdale.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Dorothy's memory may be made to Jehovah's Witnesses World-Wide Work, The Groton Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, 170 Flanders Road, Mystic, CT 06355.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Dorothy Rodriguez
Essie Wheeler
May 4, 2013
Sister Rodriguez, Love her god Jehovah an his son Jesus she truly was a faithful sister setting a wonderful example for all who knew her.We all are working to stay faithful to welcome her back from her sleep with tears of joy of all our loves. Rest only for a little time when Jehovah our father will call you to awake.
Jonathan Miller
April 29, 2013
I never heard her raise voice, never saw her get mad or angry, never once saw her crack under the pressure or lose control...the epitome of class & dignity. You will be missed, never forgotten and seen again. Love you Aunt Dot!
Pamela Hodge
April 29, 2013
My sincerest condolences to the family in the loss of such a beautiful and sweet woman!
April 24, 2013
For as long as I can remember, I remember her...
Every time I say a prayer.
Every time I raise my hand to comment at meetings.
Every time I knock on a neighbor's front door.
Every time I leave for an assembly or a convention.
Every time I fill out my monthly field service report.
Every time I put on a string of pearls.
Every time I grab a couple of Kleenex for my purse.
Every time I hang my sheets outside on the clothesline.
Every time I enjoy coffee ice cream.
Every time I put on high-heels.
Every time I hear a good song.
Every time I make bread pudding.
Every time I purchase a new lipstick - especially a red one...
Every time, and more - I remember my Mother.
An heirloom or a keepsake is something of special value handed on from one generation to another, something that descends to the heir that can remind the person of a specific event or time; a memento. Although I have but a few tangible keepsakes of my mother's possessions, I have a treasure full of memories that are a daily part of my life and routine. Her excellent example as an evangelizer is a big portion of my heart and soul, as well as an additional motivating force for me to try hard to follow. My inner hope is to welcome her back from a much needed rest and short nap, that she will awake well rested...and we will have lots of wonderful stories to tell her. And she can get on with her teaching work. There will be many that will need her!
Elaine Gasconi
Gloria Fowler
April 24, 2013
"Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me." These words from Isaiah will forever remind me of you, dear friend. You were loved and respected by all who were blessed to know you.
In February, still reading
Irene Blackburn
April 24, 2013
My mother was a true lady. She taught us 5 girls to be ladies too. My mother loved words. She loved to find a new word and share it with us girls. She was an avid reader. We played the "word" game with her. Kind of like her version of password. She loved life and people. Her mother died in her 50's. her thirst for answers led her to study the Bible. When she found the bible's hope for a bright future, it became her beacon in this dark world. She enjoyed sharing that hope by living her faith. It was her reason for living. She never gave up on people. Instead, she spoke kindly about others, empathizing with them. She told us that she was not afraid to die. She firmly believed that death was a sleep from which JESUS and his father JEHOVAH would awaken her, as easily as Jesus wakened Lazarus. By calling out "wake up". I await her rising to greet us when she has her full energy again. For her, it will be but a moment, for us, it seems so long. But she has finished her "journey", and we must endure. What a fine race she has run!
Your youngest, Irene
Valerie Sebastian
April 23, 2013
My condolences go out to all of my cousins, Elaine, Diane, Sandra, Irene, Lisa, Linda, Aunt Betty, Uncle Kenny and Uncle Walter. What a tremendous loss for our whole Miller family, extended family and friends. I have comfort in knowing that Auntie is amongst the rest of our angels. Her kindness, elegance, and beautiful spirit will always be remembered by all whom had the pleasure of being in her presence. I love you Auntie and all of our Miller family! Peace be with you during this very difficult time! Hugs! ??? Valerie, Manuel, Tahra, Duane and grandchildren. ??
April 23, 2013
I'm the middle daughter, Linda. I was blessed with this amazingly wonderful, kind, loving, giving and spiritual LADY who gave me life and has guided me throughout my life. Take heart that all is well as serving Jehovah WILL enable us be with she and my Dad one day soon. "He" never breaks a promise. As wonderful as she was, you have to know there was and is something so very very special in her life that all she would ask is that all of us seek to find out what that is. You'll not be disappointed and you too may have the honor of serving 'He' who has made it possible to be with her again in paradise. Weep not friends and family, my Mom was living proof that Jehovah DOES exist and it gives me comfort knowing all that entails. Bless each and every one of you .. every one of us, who she did, does and will always hold close and dear to her heart and she in ours. Linda
Monica Haynie
April 22, 2013
She was a lovely person to be around. Her eyes sparkled when she talked with you. She genuinely loved people. I never felt the 50-year age gap when we were together. She was always "young at heart" and inspired me to love Jehovah as she did. I look forward to the day when I can welcome my grandmother back with hugs and kisses in the resurrection.
Booth Miller
April 21, 2013
My Dear Aunt Dot, you have been a faithful servant of Jehovah, and such an outstanding example of a full time pioneer for 43 years. In the front lines searching for honest hearted people to learn about JEHOVAH, we will do our best to learn from your faith and look forward to seeing you in paradise on this earth very soon, this is JEHOVAH' PROMISE. Until we see you again. Chap and Sharyn, Jonathan, David, Stefan and Grand Children.
Dolores Glass
April 20, 2013
My sincerest condolences to the Blackburn family. Cherish the memories. I will keep you all in my prayers.
Marty Bailey
April 20, 2013
Dear Family - My heart goes out to all of you at this time. How I can't wait to see dear Sister Rodriguez again when the ailments of today will no longer be! I remember when I first moved to Groton and the love she expressed towards me and my sons. She was such a big help, in more ways than I can express. And that gray van that used to be packed with friends!
Please know that she, along with all of you, remain in our thoughts and prayers.
Much love,
Marty Bailey
April 19, 2013
I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. Please find peace and comfort in Psalms 65:2.
LaVera McClellan Green
April 19, 2013
Dear Family,
Dorothy was the most beautiful "Lady", I have ever known. Her graciousness allowed for her to empathized with a soul like me to learn the truth with conviction. She left me with the verse Proverbs 3: 1-5, of which I have treasured to this day. I shall cherish the precious memories of a dear sister, friend and fellow worker of Jehovah and Jesus Christ. I await more determined to her ressurection,as I strive to apply all that she taught me, and that is "Trust in him with all my heart. I love you and will miss you until... A bible student who actually got what you taught from Jehovah God's word the bible.......Agape
Gabriel Blackburn
April 19, 2013
My grandmother was always smiling and a breath of fresh air. I remember her taking us to all of her studies, placing magazines and how happy she was to introduce us grandkids to the people she knew. She always told us to keep up, meaning to keep up spiritually. She loved my children Gabriella and Noah James and all of us children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Until I see you paradise Gram, I love you with all of my heart!
Brenda Curry
April 19, 2013
Thoughts and prayers go out to Dorothy's Family. She thought me so much in the time that I was honored to know her. I will miss her.
Yvonne Hollins Peterson
April 19, 2013
Dearest Family. My heartfelt prayers for comfort go out to all of you. Sister Rodriguez is remembered as a loving, spiritual person who provided great encouragement and a fine example to us all. I feel blessed to have known her and benefited greatly from her words of wisdom and example. She and Br. Rodriguez will be welcomed back with such love when Jehovah wakes them from their temporary sleep. My deepest love to you all in your loss, Yvonne Hollins Peterson
David Miller
April 19, 2013
Auntie you have always been a walking expression of love
Beverly Miller-Solomon
April 19, 2013
My deepest condolences to family and friends of my dear aunt Dorothy. I will miss you and love you always. Your loving smile and sweet voice are a part of my earliest memories. Rest in Peace.
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