Mercedes G. Rodriguez

Mrs. Mercedes G. Rodriguez, age 92, passed away from natural causes Friday, March 2, 2012. Mrs. Rodriguez was born on March 26, 1919 in Cuba. She was a longtime resident of Miami before moving to Bartow. She retired from Burdines Department Stores where she worked as a sales representative. Mrs. Rodriguez was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Bartow. She was active in the Women's Club at the church and was a member of the Friends of the Library of Bartow. She is survived by a loving family that includes two daughters; Mimi Frean (Tony) of Bartow, Conchi Ossa (James) of Gainesville, two sons; Leonardo Rodriguez (Rebecca) of Lakeland, Louis Rodriguez of Bartow, four siblings; Hernan Granda of Winter Haven, Lourdes Alvarez of Tampa, Fernando Granda of Miami, and Magali Tanner of Switzerland. She also leaves behind her grandchildren; Mimi Williamson, Teri Fisher, Tony Frean, Jimmy Ossa, Michael Rodriguez, Alex Rodriguez, Jason Young, Christopher Rodriguez, and six great grandchildren. A memorial mass will be held in honor of Mrs. Rodriguez on Saturday March 24th at 11:00AM at Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 2180 S. Kissingen Ave. in Bartow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 809 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, FL 33801, or Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave., Auburndale, FL 33823.