Felipa Rodriguez

Felipa Rodriguez was born on May 09, 1938, in El Chaparro, Canatlán, Durango, Mexico. She passed away September 10, 2025 at the age of 87. She was preceded in death by older brothers Ramon and Jesus Rodriguez and big sister Gregoria Rodriguez Terrazas. They are all together again in heaven.

If you know that the family celebrates Felipa’s birthday on May 5th, you may wonder if there is a birth date mistake on the Forest Lawn records. Her father Margarito made the mistake 87 years ago. Felipa was born at home on May 5. But when her father traveled to the local municipality 10 days later, he registered the birth date as May 9. Felipa’s birth certificate and all US legal papers show May 9. Thus, her death certificate, all legal paperwork related to her death, and even her niche marker must forever read May 9, 1938. The familia will continue celebrating Pipa on Cinco de Mayo for the rest of their lives.

Pipa immigrated to the US from Mexico in 1963 to help her sister Gregoria care for her first born. She stayed living with her sister for nearly 62 years. Their children grew up together primarily in South Gate CA. In turn, their children were also blessed with her in their lives. She was known as mom to a son and daughter, as grandma to 1 grandson and 4 granddaughters. And, she was known as Pipa to the rest of the world. She was never “aunt” or “tia” to Gregoria’s children. She was always, and will always be, their “Pipa”. She loved Coca Cola and sweet things. She liked new clothes and her style was bright, flowery, colorful, and shiny. She enjoyed gardening and loved flowers of all types and colors. Snapdragons and sun flowers were her favorites. She was not a demonstrative woman. But she loved Richard, Rosa Irma, Bea, Jesse, Rosa, and Lio dearly and showed it in many subtle ways. She had the soul of a child. Gregoria had to play the adult mother role to all the kids while Pipa indulged, spoiled, and playfully led the kids into trouble. When her sister discovered the deeds, Pipa always covered up for the kids (and herself). This tradition continued with the grandchildren: Sachi, Dario, Ami, Julieta, Erin, Jamie, Alex, Amir, and Ayende.

Que descanse en paz querida Mamá Pipa!

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