Anna Maria Rodriguez Rojo's Obituary
Our beautiful mother, Anna Maria Rojo passed away on October 25, 2025 at the age of 99. Affectionately known by many as Tillie, sister, mother, grandma, great grandma, comadre and friend.
Born at home in Los Angeles, CA on Bodie Street to Maximo Torres Rodriguez and Esmerenciana Gonzáles Rodriguez. She was the second oldest of twelve siblings preceded in death by her brothers Guillermo (Memo), Maximo, Ruben, Albert, Ernie, and baby sister Rachel.
Mom attended Bridge Elementary School and Hollenbeck Jr High.
She grew up listening to Mexican music by Pedro Infante, Jorge Negrete, Javier Solis y “La Marcha de Zacatecas”. During her early teens living in the Boyle Heights neighborhood, she loved to go to the Brownson House on E. Pleasant Ave where she listened and danced to some of the great big band music; Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller. Mom’s passion for music and dance was a gift which she passed down to us.
The day she was to attend high school the family decided to move north to Turlock, CA for the grape season. The family traveled and eventually settled in Irvington, CA living across the street from her Tia Catalina and family until 1948. Mom often reminisced about the fun times with her cousins and siblings. They would all pile up in cousin Vic’s car and head to the Rainbow Ballroom in San Jose to dance the night away. This is where she met the love of her life, our father, Rafael Gonzalez Rojo. On December 26, 1951, our parents married and had six daughters; Tina, Martha, Patricia, Mercedes, Yolanda and Tillie. They eventually moved and raised us in Decoto.
Mom’s first job was picking grapes. While living in Irvington, she worked at the Booth Fruit Cannery for 5 years in Centerville. Then she worked at the California Nursery in Niles packing and shipping rose bushes for 2 years.
Mom lived her life by helping others, babysitting her younger brother Manuel, niece, nephews and grandchildren. She was a wonderful mother who was always there for us. Worked hard to make sure we had a clean house, Avena (hot cereal) before school, clean clothes, homemade meals and homemade tortillas until the Pink Elephant started selling packaged tortillas. For our birthdays, she would always make our favorite meals and cake. Mom never cursed just used phrases like “What in the Sam Hill are you girls doing?”. Or she would go down the list of our names until she said the right name. She encouraged us to do well and be good. Mom was our friend, confidant and loved us unconditionally. She gave endlessly and asked for nothing in return.
In her spare time, mom loved to read the newspaper, do crossword puzzles and read mystery/Danielle Steel romance novels and watch her favorite novela “Velvet”.
She is survived by her daughters; Tina Mercado, Martha Padilla (Gerardo), Patricia Sousa (Santos Ramirez), Mercedes Rojo, Yolanda Garcia (Mario), Tillie Zelman (Brian), grandchildren Mario Garcia Jr (Rosie Juarez), Annamaria Sousa, Erica Garcia, great grandchild Rafael (Rafa) Garcia, beloved sisters Velia (Billie)Borjon, Bertha Cordova, Rachel Orta, Esther Renteria, beloved brother Manuel Rodriguez, dear sister-in-laws and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her husband Rafael Gonzalez Rojo, son-in-law Steve Mercado.
Forever in Our Hearts….Remembered fondly for her selflessness, generosity, and unconditional love.
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