The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Claudina Rodriguez, aka “Gladys,” was born in Puerto Rico to Enriqueta Rodriguez and Primetivo Hernandez. She was their 7th child of a total of 9. (5 girls 4 boys). They lived in a small town, “El Corozo”, on the very tip of the south west of the island of Puerto Rico. Gladys met our father Francisco in Mayaguez Puerto Rico; they married on November 30th, 1950. They had five children.
Gladys migrated to the USA in 1956, and resided in Newark, NJ. She was employed by the Deluxe Corp, a toy factory for years. In the mid 1980’s she relocated back to Puerto Rico for approx 12 years. Due to failing health she and Juan returned to New Jersey in 2003 and lived in Somerset. At the time of her death she resided with Iris (daughter) and Langston (son-in-law).
She is pre-deceased by her husband, three of their children and one granddaughter.
She is survived by one son, Robby Martinez; one step son, Angel Martinez, of Newark; and one daughter, Iris Martinez-Campbell of Somerset; 11 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
Gladys was a humble, caring person who continually gave and gave until the day she died. She loved her children and was an encourager. She instilled compassion, empathy and selflessness in her children.
Although Gladys is physically gone from our presence she will be forever engraved in our heats.
“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”
