Cruz Amelia Rodriguez, age 70, of Garland, Tx., passed away on October 2, 2025 at her home after a year of battling a rare cancer within her chest cavity.  Amelia was born on September 14, 1955 in Santa Tecla, El Salvador to the late Joaquin Santana Vidal who passed away when Amelia was only 14 years old and her hardworking, always charitable mother, Maria del Carmen Rodriguez.

Amelia was a proud high school graduate of El Colegio Santa Inés in her hometown of Santa Tecla where she was a part of a very competitive basketball team who represented El Salvador and played several teams throughout Central America. She loved her country but found it in her heart to come seek a better life in the United States.  Here she dedicated her life to her family and became a full time mom.   She eventually went back to school at Richland Community College to earn her bachelor's degree.  She had a fulfilling career as a full time school librarian aide at Spring Creek Elementary in Garland, Tx.  Here she was known for her love of children, support and service to all teachers, and her infectious kind spirit.  Amelia became a true testament to her resilient character when she faced a profound personal challenge as her marriage concluded. She responded by cultivating a life defined by unwavering independence, a dedication to her own passions, and a strengthening of her faith which inspired all who knew her.

As earlier mentioned Amelia was a passionate basketball player as a young woman and grew to love the Boston Celtics.  We suffered many earaches during the Larry Bird and Robert Parish era as she cheered them on especially during playoffs.  In her healthier days she also enjoyed a good movie, coffee and bible talks with her friends from Spring Creek, and some serious shopping.  She worked for a short time at Clothes Mentor which was so fitting for her because she got first dibs and discounts on the good stuff.  She enjoyed a good sale.  She was also the best pupusa, tamales, ceviche, and panes con pavo maker according to her kiddo's and John Lenihan.  She was a devoted member to Jesus Christ and His Church as a born, raised, and devout lifetime Catholic Christian.  She participated in many ministries throughout her life, including Eucharistic Minister, ushering, choir, serving as a mentor through a program that encouraged and assisted couples civilly married to enter the sacrament of marriage through the Church.  She was always looking for ways to volunteer and be of service.

She will be remembered for her unwavering sense of conviction and her exceptional determination to see her vision through no matter who agreed or disagreed with her.  There was only One she resorted to check herself with through prayer, participation of the sacraments, and occasional adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  This One is her deepest love, Jesus Christ, her one and only compass.

Amelia is survived by her children, Claudia Patricia Gentry and spouse, Detrick Le'Wayne Gentry of Houston, Tx., Jessica Del Carmen Lenihan and spouse, John Michael Lenihan of Wylie, Tx., and of Jose Eduardo Escobar and spouse, Yaquelin Escobar of Katy, Tx. She also leaves behind seven cherished grandchildren, Eric Anthony Valle, Hailey Loraine Lenihan, Daijah Elaine Gentry, Lynette Rose Lenihan, Elizabeth Anne Lenihan, Aaron Michael Lenihan, and one beautiful pumpkin still baking who will arrive next month, her siblings Ana Alicia Vidal Rodriguez mother of Ana Beatriz and Ana Marcela Martinez, Maria Del Carmen Castro, and Carlos Alberto Rodriguez.  She is reunited in eternity with her sister Maria Isabel Paz and her brothers Jose Manuel Serrano, Jose German Serrano, and Joaquin Santana Vidal Jr.

Her funeral mass service will take place on Friday , October 10, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Saint Anthony Catholic Church located at 404 N. Ballard Avenue Wylie, Tx.75098.  Following the Funeral Mass, cremation will take place privately at a later date.

Due to her passing unraveling at an extremely fast pace the very last few days of her life, the process of selecting her permanent and final resting place is ongoing. The family will notify all friends and relatives once the cemetery has been chosen and her ashes have been placed, so all may have the opportunity to visit her there as she watches over us while she rests in peace with our Lord.