RoseMarie (Atencio) Rodriguez

During the early morning hours on Sunday, February 11, 2018 beloved daughter, mother, "grammy" and "great grammy" RoseMarie A. Rodriguez, 79, was called to her final resting place after struggling with Lewy Body Dementia.

RoseMarie was born August 24, 1938 in Las Vegas, New Mexico. She graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1956 and worked at Kirtland Air Force Base , where she met her future husband. She reared three children and was involved in countless volunteer endeavors at their elementary school.

She was a long-time member of the GI Forum, LULAC, MALDEF, SER and MANA. In 1983, MANA honored her with their "Outstanding Woman of the Year" annual award. She tirelessly advocated for bilingual education, women, the rights of immigrants, children with disabilities and homemakers. RoseMarie worked for many years as an Education Aide with the Albuquerque Public Schools.

RoseMarie will always be remembered for her love of children, her dogs and desserts. She had a generous spirit and beautiful heart. During her last year, she was cared for by the wonderful staff of Harmony House in Rio Rancho.

She is preceded in death by her father, Andronico "Andrew" Atencio and the father of her children, Charlie G. Rodriguez. She is survived by her mother, Graciana "Grace" Atencio; sister, Patsy Cizan (Cliff); brother, Bill Atencio (Lupe); children, Carlos Rodriguez (Nitza), Jacqueline Rodriguez and Christina Engel (Jason). She leaves six grandchildren, Samantha Verdeja (Alfonso), Leticia Leyva, Chelsea Engel, Rico Leyva, Miguel Rodriguez and Galeano Rodriguez; and two great-grandchildren, Madeleine and Alfonso Jason "AJ" Verdeja.

Services will be held Saturday, February 17, 2018, 10:00 a.m. at Community of Joy Lutheran Church, 841 Saratoga Drive, Rio Rancho, New Mexico, 87144. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Road SW, Lilburn, Georgia 30047 Online donations can be sent by going to

www.lbda.org