Etervina Rodriguez
Dearly loved mother, grandmother
On Sunday, March 22, 2020, Etervina Rodriguez (nee Montequin) passed away peacefully at the age of 79 in Neptune, N.J.
Etervina was born on Nov. 11, 1940, in Pinal Del Rio, Cuba, where she was raised. She immigrated to the United States in the late 1960s and settled in Newark, N.J., where she met and married her one true love, Damaso (Tony) Rodriguez in 1970. In 1973, they welcomed their only child, Denise. Etervina worked over 30 years in the medical records department of Saint Michael's Medical Center in Newark. In addition to being a devoted wife, mother, sister, and daughter, Etervina was an excellent cook, had a great sense of style, and took great pride in keeping her beloved home spotless.
In her final years, Etervina lived with her daughter, Dr. Denise Rodriguez, son-in-law, Keith Gregory, and three grandchildren, Raul, Nora, and Felix, in Bradley Beach, N.J., and mostly spent her days reading and resting with the family's faithful Shih Tzu, Wilkie-affectionally called "Bussy-Bussy"-by her side.
Etervina was predeceased by her loving husband, parents, Dora and Alberto Montequin, and sister, Teresa Montequin. She took excellent care of each of them through their respective illnesses and was a steadfast and doting companion-always.
Due to the outbreak in our community, a private burial will be held, but the family anticipates holding a public memorial in the near future. Had Etervina been given the funeral she rightly deserved, there would no doubt have been many words of comfort, exchanges of fond stories and memories, and an abundance prayers. It is incredibly difficult for her family to forgo this solacing ritual-a commemoration of her life and spirit-but we acknowledge the unprecedented challenges we are facing, and, in honor of someone who dedicated her life to caring for others, we only ask now that you take care of yourselves and of each other. In lieu of flowers, please send prayers, and in lieu of attending, please remember her fondly and with love.