It's with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved momma Diana " Dede" Rodriguez. Diana was an amazing and loving daughter, mother, sister, tia, Memo/grandma Dede and friend to many people. She entered into eternal rest on the morning of January 27th 2025 at the tender age of 63, surrounded by her loved ones. Our mother Diana was born on March 23rd 1961 in San Antonio Texas. She was welcomed at the gates of heaven by her beloved mother Lucy Casas, her brother Orlando Ramirez and many other family members. Diana is survived by her siblings Blanca Sonia Cotto, Luedd "Lulu"Cotto, Gabriel Ramirez and Mario Ramirez. Diana has four children Juan Rodriguez, Jannina Martinez, Vanessa Galindo, Yesenia Gonzalez and her 10 grandkids Jissel, Gino, Nadya, Ariana, Gregory, Analia, Alyssa J.R., Nayeli and Zalenna who she adored with her whole heart!
Our Mother was a safe space and opened her home to many people who needed guidance or love. She was a mom or memo to many "adopted" kids/grandkids and freely gave her love and hugs to anyone who needed it. Our mother welcomed everyone and made them feel like family. Our mother loved her family unconditionally, enjoyed listening to music, dancing salsa, watching Sci-Fi and home improvement shows and spoiling her grandkids. One of her favorite places to be was the beach; she loved the ocean and listening to the sound of the waves while relaxing. Our mother loved the holidays especially Christmas. We traditionally baked pies every Thanksgiving while listening to Christmas music. She loved to decorate and be festive for Christmas including singing songs and going to see the lights. Family meant everything to her and she enjoyed every minute of it.
Our mother was the oldest of her six siblings and took pride in being their big sister. She was a kind, thoughtful, loving and a strong-willed sister. She always welcomed them with open arms and a heart of gold, filled with warmth and love. Just like a second mother, she inspired them with her positive attitude; and she taught them to be brave like her. She always made sure they knew how much she loved them.

Diana discovered her passion for being an advocate for individuals with disabilities when she operated her in-home daycare solely for children with special needs, helping Military families. Diana dedicated her life to helping others and being a voice for the disabled. Diana was a pioneer for many companies such as San Antonio Lighthouse, PCSI, Goodwill and ECS just to name a few. She also helped Veterans while working for the GI Forum. Diana also went on to create her own company called Wings of Freedom. She worked for many years as an Employment Specialist and Job Coach assisting her "kids" get acclimated to the workforce and taught them important life skills. Diana always went above and beyond her job title. She was a parent, friend, shoulder to cry on for many of her clients and their families even giving her personal number to always be available. Diana's job was more than her work; it was a life's passion and her way of being. Diana helped create the blueprint for the school to work programs, working with major companies in assisting young disabled adults transition to the workforce. Diana was a force to be reckoned with and lit up any room she entered. Diana's passion, vision, dedication, perseverance to the disabled and underserved never wavered.

Diana lived an extraordinary life. She traveled and lived in many countries. She loved to immerse herself in deferent cultures and experience life from another perspective. The impact she had on many different peoples' lives will be felt for many generations to come.