Rafaila (DeLaRosa) Rodriguez |
| Posted 2009-02-23 by Judy Wight Branson |
| The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Thursday, August 9, 2007 Rafaila DeLaRosa Rodriguez died Sunday, Aug. 5, 2007, surrounded by her loving family, at Hospice Family Care in Prescott. She was born Oct. 24, 1912, in El Paso, Texas; the daughter of Anastacio and Loretto (Montez) DeLaRosa. Her family moved to Prescott in 1918. As a child, Rafaila attended Lincoln and Washington Schools, and St. Jospeh's Academy, as well as, St. Anthony's School in Flagstaff, Ariz. Rafaila graduated from Prescott High School in 1932. In 2006, she attended her 74th high school class reunion. She was also a graduate of Lily Edwards Business College, which was housed in the basement of the Arizona Bank Building. Rafaila began her career working for Grace Sparkes at the Chamber of Commerce. She then worked for the Yavapai County Assessors Office for 25 years under David Biles, Joel Baldwin and Marshal Clow, and as an interpreter under Judge Lamson. In 1937, Rafaila married the love of her life, Jesus Rodriguez, at Immaculate Heart Church. The couple lived in Jerome, where their four children were born. Rafaila worked at the Bank of Jerome and the Bank of Arizona, which later became Wells Fargo. Rafaila was very active in the community, as well as Sacred Heart Church, where she was a parishioner. At Sacred Heart, she was a member of Legion of Mary, Catholic Daughters of America, Spanish Choir and lecturer at Sunday Masses. She also volunteered by visiting with the sick at various rest homes, and writing letters for the veterans at VAMC. Rafaila was a committee woman for the Democratic Party, recorded Prescott's history for Sharlot Hall Museum and was on the founding board of the Prescott Catholic Social Services. Rafaila enjoyed her retirement traveling the world. She visited 48 of our 50 states. The highlight of her travels was a tour she took to Rome with the late Bishop McCarthy and an audience with the late Pope John Paul II for the cannonization of Mother Seaton. Her tour of the Holy Land was one of her most memorable experiences, including all the new people she met along the way. Rafaila is survived by her four children, Lucille Rodarte (Ralph), Eleanor Johnstone (Donald), Rosemary Magana (Victor) and Richard Rodriguez (Esther). She is also survived by 12 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a nephew, Alfred Padilla; and sister-in-law VeraFlores. Rafaila was preceded in death by her husband, Jesus, sister, Vera Padilla and brother, Joe Morales. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Hospice Family Care for their kindness and wonderful care they provided our mother in her final days. We would also like to thank the numerous other individuals who provided us assistance and added our mother to their prayers. A special thank you to Dr. Karen Yates for her professional and tender care shown toward our mother. Celebration of Rafaila's Life Mass will be 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 10, 2007, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 150 Fluery, Prescott, Ariz. Final farewell and Commendation is at Mountain View Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007, with a 7 p.m. Rosary Service at the Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home, corner of Cortez and Carleton. The family suggests memorials in Rafaila's name to Catholic Social Services, 434 W. Gurley, Prescott, Ariz., 86301 or Hospice Family Care, 100 East Sheldon, Prescott, Ariz., 86301. Information provided by survivors. |
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