Collena Virginia Rodriquez, 76, transitioned to her Heavenly Father on June 14, 2019. She was born and raised in Washington, DC, the only child to Collie and Johnnie Gaston. She started her administrative career at Squibb Myers and American Paint Co., where she met her husband. In 1970, she married Candido Rodriquez, who in 1977, moved the family to Hampton, Virginia. Shortly after the move, she became interested in working with the Hampton City Schools and landed an administrative position in the Music Dept. After a few years there, she sort her dream job with the government in 1980. In March of 2002, she began work as a Human Resources Specialist at Ft. Monroe, Collena received many awards and recognition for her loyal work. She was afforded an opportunity to take a temporary position in Heidelberg Germany for 3 years, where she took full advantage of seeing that part of the world, going to London, Paris, and Amsterdam visiting landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Buckingham Palace. After returning, she continued her work at Ft. Monroe/Ft. Eustis, retiring in 2012.

She is predeceased by her parents and husband. She leaves to mourn, her four children - Wanda Maxwell from Bowie, MD, Karen Carr from Hampton, VA, Claude Greene from Newport News, VA, and Juanito Rodriquez from Hampton, VA. She also leaves six grandchildren, Estevan Chase of Champaign, IL, Vernon Young of Atlanta, GA, Jessica Rodriquez of Charlotte, NC, Jordan Rodriquez of Chesapeake, VA, Briona Rodriquez of Hampton, VA, and Brandon Rodriquez of New York; one great grandchild, Preston Chase of Champaign, IL. Also to mourn are two very special daughters, Sheila Frances-Grayson and Linda Frances-Ford, both of Maryland.

Mrs. Rodriquez' children wishes to thank all the medical personnel from the Riverside Medical Group for caring for their mother. Thank you also to the personnel of Berceuse Funeral Home.

Our hearts are broken but we know God doesn't make mistakes. She'll now be an angel watching over us until we met again.

The family will receive friends from 12-1:00 PM Saturday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hampton.  Immediately following at 1:00 PM. a Funeral Mass will be celebrated, then interment will be in Hampton Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements are by Berceuse Funeral and Cremation Tradition in Hampton, 757-825-8070.