Connie (Concepcion M.) Rodriguez, 78, passed away peacefully at 4:16pm Thursday, February 14, 2019 in her home with her daughter by her side. Connie was born on May 2, 1940 in Reynosa, Mexico to Francisco and Josefa (Lopez) Martinez. Her parents preceded her in death along with a son Juan Rodriguez Jr. sisters Paula Gonzalez and Maria Ledmas Ventura Martinez, brothers, Francisco Martinez, Fernando Martinez, and Ricardo Martinez and grandbabies dogs King III, Damien Roc and Harley Rose.
Surviving are a daughter Yolanda Rodriguez, sisters, Francesca Sandoval and Guadalupe Castro, brother, Amparo Martinez and grandbabies dogs Rudy Jon, Rami Jo, and Riley Jac. She also leaves behind to cherish her time and memories many nieces and nephews, friends, colleagues, she will be forever missed. Connie enjoyed playing with her grandbabies, gardening, loved to go to flea markets, but most of all, sitting outside and taking it all in.
At age five she moved from Reynosa, Mexico with her mother to be with the rest of her family in Texas, before moving to South Bend Indiana, Where she became a citizen and a lifelong resident. She attended Woodrow Wilson School from 1948 thru 1956, Washington High School from 1956 thru 1958. Connie worked at Gumz Farm from 1958 thru 1968.
In 1971 she received her GED from John Adams High School. From 1971 thru 1984 she worked for the South Bend Community School / Project Head Start as a Social Service Worker and as an Education, Personnel and Indiana State Handicap Advocate Secretary, she also did the typing and printing of the staff newsletter “Happenings”, along with the “The Network” a Indiana Handicap newsletter for 275 state agencies, “Working Together”, Headstart and the Public Schools Transition booklet for Training of Special Needs Administrators, State Agencies, Directors and Teachers along with “Headstart in Indiana”, a directory of Service in Indiana for Parents. In 1972 she attended IUSB where she studied Foundation of Law and Order, Sociology and Crisis Intervention.
In 1974 she attended Ivy Tech where she took Secretarial courses. From 1974 thru 1998 she served her country proudly in the U.S. Army National Guard at Fort McClellan and Indiana Military Academy. From 1976 thru 1982 Connie was employed by the South Bend Police Academy where during the summer she worked as a Civil Defense Officer.
In 1989 she received her certificate from H & R Block Tax Course. In 1997-1998 she also received a certificate from Jackson Hewett Tax Course. From 1984 thru 2018 she worked for CSI Logistics where she was a corporate secretary from 1984 thru 990, then was an Administrative Assistant from 1990 thru 2018.
From 1970 thru 1980 she was a member and secretary for L.U.L.A.C. Council 5001. 2002 thru 2003 she was a member of the Lions Club of Plymouth. In 2011 she became an affiliate member of the St. Joseph County Soil & Water Conservation District.
Spanning throughout her career in the workforce and through her service in the military, she has received numerous awards, certificates, and medals of honor and merits. She held true to the motto of the Army, “Be Strong” and “Be All You Can Be”. She was proud to put on any of her uniforms and be the Weekend Warrior.
She was proud to be a veteran and proud to have served. Special thanks to Mr.& Mrs. Leonard Kanczuzewski, our family of friends and Kroger of Ireland, Teachers Credit Union on Ireland, you all have showed us kindness & compassion, gave us your support, you have made us laugh, but most of all your Friendship, I am and will always be grateful. Per Connie’s wishes, cremation has taken place.
A Memorial Mass for Connie and her son, Juan will be celebrated at 12:00pm Saturday, March 16, 2019 in St. Adalbert Catholic Church. The Celebration of Life will continue with a luncheon at V.F.W. 9820. Zahoran Funeral Home has been entrusted with services.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Miller’s Homeless Vets, Humane Society, Pet Refuge or Riverbend Cancer Services. To leave an online condolence, please visit our website at www. zahoran.com.
Donations may be made to: Humane Society 2506 Grape Road, Mishawaka IN 46545 Pet Refuge 2300 W. 6th Street, Mishawaka IN 46544 RiverBend Cancer Services 3516 E. Jefferson Blvd.
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