Ruth Esther Rodriguez-Chico

June 24, 1949 - August 28, 2022

Ruth Esther RodríguezChico, 73, of New Haven died peacefully on Sunday, August 28, 2022, at YaleNew Haven Hospital with her loving family by her side. She was the beloved wife of Joaquín Chico Peña. Ruth was born in Utuado, Puerto Rico on June 24, 1949, a daughter of the late Hermenegildo Rodríguez del Rio and the late Noemi Rodríguez González, and had resided in New Haven for the past sixty five years. Ruth completed her biblical studies in 1967 at the Spanish Eastern District Bible Institute, and was a 1969 graduate of Richard C. Lee High School. She received her Associate’s Degree in 1972 from South Central Community College, and her Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies & Theology from Doxa International University, Coral Springs, FL in 2008. She was a longtime active member of Star of Jacob Christian Church of New Haven where she served in many positions including Director of the Missions Dept., Sunday School Teacher, Deacon, Greeter, and member of the Women’s Ministries. She also served in the soup kitchen and Benevolence Dept., and participated in missionary trips to Colombia, Spain, and Puerto Rico. She was an advocate for human rights, a member of the 4th Ward, and the Arch Street Block Watch. Ruth worked at the Cornell Scott Hill Health Center as a Tuberculosis Outreach Worker and Educator, Marrakech, Inc., as a Program Specialist/ Clerk, for the State of Connecticut, Dept. of Children & Families as a Social Worker Case Aide, and Latino Youth Development Corporation, Inc as an Employability Coordinator/English as a Second Language. Ruth is also survived by nine sisters, Myrta (Francisco) Bonilla, Norma Rodríguez-Reyes, C. Ana Rodríguez, Abigail (Ted) Curtis, Evelyn Rodríguez, Myriam Rodríguez, Elizabeth ( Jorge) Fuentes, Simirramis Rodríguez (Heriberto Cardona) and Ada (Samuel) Olivo; three brothers, Hermenegildo (Iris) Rodríguez, Abdías (Aracelis) Rodríguez and Rubén (Rosa) Rodríguez; thirty one nieces and nephews; twenty five great-nieces and greatnephews; and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Ruth’s family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, September 6th from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Star of Jacob Christian Church (Iglesia Cristiana Estrella de Jacob), 506 Howard Ave., New Haven. A funeral service will begin at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 7th. A prayer service will take place at the church at 10:00 a.m. followed by burial in Evergreen Cemetery, New Haven. The Washington Memorial Funeral Home, 4 Washington Ave., North Haven has been entrusted with arrangements. Memorial contributions in the name of Jaoquín Chico may be mailed to the funeral home. www.washingtonmemorialfh.com