Damasa Rodriguez

On Thursday evening, June 6, Dora (aka Tia) Rodriguez went to be with her Lord as she passed away gently in her sleep. She was 90 years old.Dora was born December 11, 1928 in the province of Pinar del Rio, Cuba to her parents Aurelio and Nicasia Romero, who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her late husband Jose Alfredo Rodriguez and three brothers, Epifanio Romero and Baldo Romero in recent years, and a three year old brother many years ago.She is survived by her brother Juan Romero of Hallandale Beach, a niece, Esther Romero Hardy of Starke, and a nephew, Juan Carlos Romero, of Northport, New York.Soon after the Cuban revolution in 1959, Dora fled to the United States, and in the following years became instrumental in helping many others who escaped the rule of communism. She was a generous benefactor and philanthropist, offering financial aide to others who could not escape, but who were forced to remain in the clutches of poverty brought on by communism. She was a member of a seven person missionary team to deliver the gospel and MAP international aid to Cuba in the year 2000. Dora became a talented seamstress, working in the fashion industry in New York. She moved to Florida after coming to saving faith in Christ in 1962. After meeting the love of her life Alfredo, she married and became a licensed hair dresser. The two of them enjoyed a very successful business together. They were owners of The Jewel Box, a duplex hair salon/barbershop, first in Miami Beach and then in West Hollywood, where they purchased their first home. As a gifted seamstress she enjoyed sewing dresses for her niece Esther Julia during her years growing up. She retired in 1995 and after the loss of her husband in 2001 Dora moved to Starke, Florida to be close to her brother Epifanio and sister-in-law Esther. She built a beautiful home and lived in Starke for the next 17 years. Following the death of her brother Epifanio in 2011, Dora and Esther resided with one another for the next seven years. Everyone in the neighborhood of Green Acres who knew her fondly called her "Tia," which is Spanish for "aunt."In April of 2018, following several falls and the loss of her ability to stand, Dora relocated to The Pavilion for Healthy Care, an award winning nursing facility and part of Penney Retirement Community in Penney Farms, Florida. It was there that she spent her final year of life. The administration, nurses, and support staff at The Pavilion gave Dora much love and wonderful care, and for that her family will be forever grateful.A funeral service will be held on June 19th at Fred Hunters Funeral Home, 6301 Taft Street, Hollywood, Florida. Service is at 11:00 am with visitation from 9:00-11:00. Interment will immediately follow at Hollywood Memorial Gardens - North. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Penney Retirement Communitys Pavilion for Healthy Care, in memory of Damasa Rodriguez. Visitation Wednesday, June 19, 2019 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Fred Hunter Funeral Home 6301 Taft Street Hollywood FL 33024 US Funeral Service Wednesday, June 19, 2019 11:00 AM - Fred Hunter Funeral Home 6301 Taft Street Hollywood FL 33024 US Funeral Home Jones - Gallagher Funeral Home - Starke 620 E. Nona Street Starke FL - 32091 US (904) 964-6200