Candida “Candy” Rodriguez (Delgado) was born on October 3, 1928 to Pilar and Eufelia Delgado in Ordway, Colorado. She passed on October 9, 2016, lovingly surrounded by family. 

Candy grew up in Colorado and spoke fondly of the mischief that she and her siblings, Pablo (Paul) and Asuncion (Cindy), would get in to; memories of her parents; and visits to her grandparents’ who lived a short horse ride away.  

At age 17, Candy met the love of her life, Charlie (Eliazar) Rodriguez.  They were married on December 20, 1947. Charlie and Candy had been married three months shy of 68 years at the time of Charlie’s passing in 2015. 

Charlie and Candida lived a short time in California and then in Harrah, WA, eventually moving to Richland, WA in 1951. In 1954, their son, Rudy, was born and in 1957, their daughter, Elena, was born. Shortly after, the Rodriguez family would move to West Richland, where they would build and settle into their forever home. Here, Candida would gather her family and their friends for elaborate Sunday dinners of enchiladas, tortillas, goulash, and other favored foods. Her grandchildren were fortunate enough to spend many days at this house and to come home from school to eggs and chorizo with fresh tortillas.

Candy enjoyed taking vacations when her children were young, spending time with friends, cooking, gardening, dancing, crossword puzzles, and was always ready to play with her grandkids. Throughout her life, she did administrative work for Columbia High, Battelle, and Bechtel. Candida said she was never happier than when she was “old and spending time with my kids and grandkids”. She loved her family unconditionally and left us with wonderful memories.

Candida had a personality you could not forget and often said whatever unforgettable thing was on her mind. She could turn anything into a song, and would dance around the kitchen to her Mexican music while cooking. She will be greatly missed. 

Candida is preceded in death by her husband, Charlie Rodriguez; her parents, Pilar and Eufelia Delgado; her brother, Paul Delgado; and her grandson, Joseph Hernandez. She is survived by her sister, Cindy (Richard) Lozano; her son, Rudy (Karen) Rodriguez; her daughter, Elena Hernandez; three grandchildren, Russell (Liz) Rodriguez, Jennifer (Erik) Knudson, and Cara Hernandez; three great-grandchildren, Elijah and Vincent Rodriguez and Casey Knudson; and extended family. 

 The family would like to express their gratitude to Brookdale Richland, Kadlec, and the Hospice House. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make donations in Candida’s name to The Chaplaincy. 

A graveside service will be held at Sunset Gardens on Friday, October 14, 2016 at 3:30 p.m. with reception to follow at Events at Sunset.