Rafaela (Rachel) Rodriguez, age 87, of Spring Hill, Florida passed away peacefully on Friday, June 23, 2017 at the HPH Hospice Care Center, in Brooksville, FL. She was born on October 13, 1929, in San Juan, Puerto Rico to Jose Riollano (father) and Victoria Rodriguez (mother). She was a 30 years resident of Spring Hill, FL coming from Brooklyn, NY. As a teenager, Rachel came to the NY with her parents. Rafaela was survived by her caregivers and daughter & son-in-law, Ida Heredia and Jose Heredia, and their children; George, Jose Jr. and Crystal Clark and her husband Terry. Rafaela is also survived by her son, Will Garnicas, his 8 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, sisters, Josephine Sotomayor and Joe Cosenza, and Dawn Sotomayor and her children. Rafaela was a Certified Nursing Assistant for years at both the Lykes Memorial Hospital and the Oak Hill Hospital, both in Brooksville, FL. When she retired, she became a longtime Community Activist as a Guardian Ad Litem for children, Veterans, Fire Fighters, local children at schools and “say no to drugs”, and promoted and endorsed the Spring Hill Latin Rap Boys, who performed at school events for children in anti-drug events, at the VFW Post 10209 Chicken Pluckin’ events, and even preformed and have former Governor, Lawton Childs dance with them at the state capitol in Tallahassee. As part of her activities, she had audiences with then Florida State Governors Lawton Childs and Jeb Bush. Rafaela was a longtime member of the VFW Post 10209 Ladies Auxiliary, and she loved to play bingo, especially at the VFW Post 10209 and the DAV Post 67. Rafaela’s family will have private services. She will be greatly missed by her large loving family, her many friends and all the community leaders that have worked with her in the service of children, veterans and first responders. Funeral arrangements and cremation are entrusted to Turner Funeral Homes, 14360 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill, FL 34609