Maria Sanjuana Rodriguez Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

REMEMBERING JENNY RODRIGUEZ (Obituary) Maria Sanjuana Rodriguez, known to her family and friends as Jenny, was called by our God to her eternal heavenly home on June 13, 2022, following a five-year battle against cancer. She passed away the day after her 51st wedding anniversary with her loving husband, David. Jenny was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and coworker during her inspirational 77 years. She was born to Guadalupe and Lorenza Alvarez in Trinidad, Guanajuato, Mexico on February 2, 1945, and was second in a family of six siblings, consisting of Lupe, Jess, Ana, Raul, and Amparo. She was very loved and emotionally close to her parents and siblings. Jenny was also blessed with a loving family that included her husband, David; three children, Cristina, Ana, and David; and five grandchildren, Davy, Langston, Joaquin, Charlie, and Geni (named after her Grammy Jenny). She also had a large extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, godchildren, and their parents (compadres) who she loved and prayed for every day. Jenny immigrated to the U.S. with her family in 1952. She grew up in Visalia and attended Crowley Elementary School, Green Acres Middle School, Redwood High School (class of 1963), College of Sequoias, Fresno State, and graduate school at Fresno Pacific College, where she earned a Special Education credential. Jenny spent her entire forty-five-year career teaching and inspiring children, the last 32 years with the Visalia Unified School District at Crowley Elementary School. Jenny loved all her students dearly and was extremely dedicated to the families and staff with whom she worked. In her career, she worked as a teacher's assistant, a general education teacher, and a special education teacher. She was a member of the California Teachers Association and the National Educators Association. She was a union representative and a negotiator for Visalia Teacher's Union. She also served on the California Math Council. Jenny was also a faithful member of the Catholic Church and most recently, was a devoted parishioner of the Good Shepherd Catholic Parish (GSCP) in Visalia. She attended Adoration regularly and actively assisted with church fundraising events. She eagerly volunteered her time to the church as a Eucharistic Minister, a member of the Prayer Warriors group and assisted with Bereavement group counseling. She also believed in passing on the Catholic faith to the younger generation by assisting with First Communion, Confirmation, and Vacation bible school. Our family would like to express our sincerest and heartfelt gratitude to family and friends who have offered their love and support during this difficult time. We would also like to extend our deepest appreciation to the staff of the Sequoia Regional Cancer Center for the wonderful and caring treatment they gave to Jenny. Because of Jenny's devout faith, in lieu of flowers, our family requests that donations be made to the GSCP Bethlehem Center (bethlehemcentervisalia.com, click donations drop down) or the building fund for the St. Charles Catholic Church (stcharlesvisalia.org click Gifting Opportunities tab). A Rosary will be recited at GSCP Holy Family Catholic Church 1908 N. Court, Visalia on Wednesday June 29 at 6:00 p.m. and a Mass will be celebrated on Thursday June 30 at Holy Family Catholic Church at 3:00 p.m. Rosary will be held 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Wednesday, June 29th, 2022 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1908 N. Court St., Visalia. Memorial Mass services will be held 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Thursday, June 30th, 2022 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1908 N. Court St., Visalia. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Maria Sanjuana Rodriguez

February 2, 1945 - June 13, 2022