Born on January 8, 1938, to Ana María Paulino, Rita Maria Paulino was the third of eight siblings. A poor family, the Paulinos stood fiercely by one another, helping each other start businesses, finish their education, and for many, make the journey to the United States.
Her love of family was the central theme of Rita’s life.
In 1963, she married Bartolo Rodríguez, and together they had three children: Nancy Rodríguez (now Andrews), Raquel Rodríguez (now Alvarez), and Nelson, a baby boy who died in infancy. When Bartolo unexpectedly passed away in 1970, Rita—committed above all to the well-being and future of her daughters—made the heart wrenching decision to leave them in Santo Domingo to seek a better life en Nueva York.
In New York, she worked as a seamstress in the garment industry. It was there that she met and married Angel Del Rosario in 1976. Together, they welcomed one daughter, Evelyn Del Rosario, and brought the remaining two daughters to the United States.
In life, Rita was an extraordinarily strong, courageous women, who overcame tragedy and centered her life to the love and care of her family.
Today, she is survived by her three daughters—Nancy Andrews, Raquel Alvarez, and Evelyn Del Rosario—their respective spouses, Thomas Andrews, Feliz Alvarez, and John Castaneda, and her beloved grandchildren: Yasquel Alvarez, Daniel Alvarez, Jennifer Andrews, Jessica Andrews, and Michael Castaneda.
In her final days at the hospital, when asked how she felt, Rita simply said, “Me siento orgullosa.”
Today, we feel orgullosas to have had the privilege of calling this fearless, extraordinary woman our sister, aunt, friend, grandmother and mom.
She will be missed forever loved.
Reposing will be held on Sunday, January 4th, from 2:00-5:00 pm at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Ave, Bronx NY 10471. Parking is available at St. Margaret of Cortona Church, 6000 Riverdale Ave. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, January 5th at 10:30 AM at St. Margaret of Cortona Church. Interment will follow at St. Raymond’s Cemetery, Bronx, NY.