Obituary

Alberta L. “Terri” Rodriguez, age 91 of Cashion, AZ died April 19, 2019 in Cashion, AZ.  She was born June 6, 1927 in Lawrence, KS to Manuel and Gregoria Lopez.  Terri grew up in Topeka, KS, a feisty woman with an independent spirit.  She began her married life travelling with her husband,  Eligio “Licho” Rodriguez, who was working as a migrant farm hand.  Soon Terri realized the life of a migrant worker was not what she wanted for herself or her children, so she quietly bought a house in AZ and told Licho that she and her children were staying.

Terri was an important member of the Avondale Senior Village community.  Her charismatic personality brought her a large group of friends.  She taught many members of the community to knit and crochet and organized them into a service group that made hundreds of blankets for new babies and charities in the area.  She was always available to help her friends in whatever they needed.  She remained very active in her life and challenged anyone to stop her.  Age was no barrier to what she would do.  She not only went for daily walks around the park, but she was known to climb trees in her community, ride mechanical bulls, and hitch a ride on the back of a Harley Davidson.

Terri had a wonderful relationship with her daughter, Gloria and she loved to go on adventures with her.  Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren adored her.  They each knew that they were her favorite grandchild, and they all knew that she was a perfect grandma.   Terri often talked of her life.  She was grateful that she had lived such a full life and was ready to go home.

Terri was survived by her daughter, Gloria R. Lizarraga; son, Pete Rodriguez; sister, Angelina Villa; six grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.  A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am, Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear, AZ  85338.  The funeral cortege will follow in procession to West Resthaven Cemetery, 6450 W Northern Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301.  The family suggests that donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.