Obituary: Dolores (Dodi) Rodriguez (nee Hanf)

Dolores (Dodi) Rodriguez (nee Hanf) born April 4, 1936 and entered into eternal rest on November 26, 2020.  Dodi is survived by her husband of nearly 63 years James Rodriguez and was the mother of Michael (Tracy), Mark (Jackie), David (Cyndie), and Bob (Ann).  Grandmother of Megan Kerr (Andy), Rachel Hahn (Jay), Alex, Jimmie, Johnnie, Tommie, Catie, Raquel, Mario, Emily Mesteller (Mike), Nick, and Sarah.  Aunt and Great Aunt to several.  She and Jim enjoyed spending time with Jim’s brother Angelo and wife Mickey.  Dodi was preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Julianna (Kett) Hanf.  Dodi was a retired elementary school teacher for the Nordonia Hills City School District where she worked for 25 years.  She was honored as the Teacher of the Year for the District in 1988-89. She was respected and loved by her young students, and many still talk about the positive influence she had on them as a teacher. She was also an active participant in the Nordonia Hills Retired Teachers group.  When not caring for her beloved Rodhaven house, Dodi wrote poetry and was an avid reader in her later years. She had a quick wit, was highly intelligent, and expected the best from those around her.  Her favorite books included romance novels and the Bible.  She and Jim provided their children with good Christian values and she was an eager learner seeking to grow her faith throughout her whole life. After the prayer for a meal she would always say “Short and Sweet, just the way I like it!” Dodi and Jim were members of the United Methodist Church of Macedonia.  Dodi enjoyed hosting many teams, players and parents, along with many friends of the grandkids into her home. She put in many hours of community service work, mostly behind the scenes, even though she was working full-time and helping to raise her four sons.  She was a strong supporter throughout the collegiate coaching and administrative career of her husband. She passed her love of the outdoors and our Cuyahoga Valley National Park down to the next generations.  Dodi and Jim loved to travel and they enjoyed several cruises, winters in St. Pete Beach Florida, family vacations in Hilton Head South Carolina, and camping trips around the country throughout the 1960’s and 70’s.  She would often say “Beautiful, just Beautiful” when describing a scene. Regardless of the weather conditions, Dodi could often be found at a local field or auditorium, sitting beside Jim and watching one of her sons or grandchildren play.  She had a reverence for those that lived before her, and often told stories of her parents and other relatives.  Dodi attended West Technical High School in Cleveland, and graduated from the University of Miami, Ohio with a teaching degree. She kept in touch with several of her school friends throughout the years, visiting with them on her trips.  Dodi was the “hub” of communication in our extended family, and she loved to bring everyone up to date on what was going on with everyone in the family.  She loved to mail out her annual Christmas letter, and loved receiving them from the many friends she made throughout her 84 years.  She was introduced to Jim by a close friend, and the two of them have lived in the same house in Sagamore Hills since 1960. Dodi loved being surrounded by family and friends and her memory will continue to bring a sense of joy to all of our lives.  We Love You Dodi!  Private family funeral services were celebrated. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Emergency Assistance Center located at 9199 Olde Eight Road, Suite C, Northfield, Ohio  44067.