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Barbara Ana Rodriguez

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ez Barbara Ana Rodriguez, 48, of Weston, Florida and Kent, Ohio passed away on December 25, 2009 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Born January 7, 1961 in Ravenna, Ohio, Barbara spent her childhood on Stewart Road and attended St. Patrick's School and Davey Junior High School in Kent before moving to Miami Springs, Florida in 1976. Barbara graduated Miami Springs Senior High School in 1979 as class valedictorian, and attended Barry University in Miami Shores on a full scholarship, graduating Outstanding Graduate in 1983 with a double major in French Studies and Mathematics. After graduation, Barbara and her husband Steve Silberman lived, taught, and traveled in Europe. They returned to Florida where Barbara became a teacher of French, German, and Spanish for the long periods for travel and family time teaching afforded. When her daughter Sarah Elise was born in 1993, Barbara left full-time teaching to nurture their special relationship through homeschooling, travel, selfless care and abounding love. She devoted her life to her family, teaching, travel, and love of foreign languages and learning. Barbara loved the arts and excelled at music, dance, and sports. Through her poetry, she shared a lifetime of profound passion, love, and sensitivity. She cherished her time with family and friends, and her beloved daughter Sarah. Barbara visited Kent many times to acquaint Sarah with good friends and lasting memories at Stewart Lake. From 2004 to 2008, Barbara and her daughter participated in summer benefit performances with People International, and in the We The People tribute concert for Leslie Hudak in Kent in 2004. During her early teenage years Barbara was an active member and soloist in We The People. Barbara lived with remarkable passion and enthusiasm, unforgettably touching those who knew her. She disregarded popularity to help others, and courageously stood against adversity. Barbara brought out our best by inspiring us to see the world as she did, with a childs innocence and grace, seeking lifes kindness and beauty. She followed her heart - taking the road less traveled by - and that made all the difference. Barbara is survived by a large loving family in the United States and Europe and many, many friends, most especially her beautiful daughter Sarah Elise Silberman of Weston, Florida, who lives with her devoted father Steven; Barbaras loving parents Ramon and Ofelia Rodriguez; her brother Ray Rodriguez, his wife Julie, and sons Jonathan, Christopher, Jacob, and Joseph; and her youngest brother Ricky Rodriguez and wife Stacey - all of Miami Springs, Florida. Funeral services were held in Hialeah, Florida on December 29 and 30, 2009. She rests eternally in Vista Memorial Gardens in Hialeah. Funeral arrangements were handled by Caballero Rivero Woodlawn, 373 West 9th St. Hialeah, FL 33010. Friends and family wishing to remember Barbara for her love of music and performing may donate to the People International, Inc. (PII) Memorial Fund, a scholarship fund for special members who touched our lives, but left us too early. Donations to defray costs for new members to attend the summer musical program may be made to People International, Inc., PO Box 741, Allentown, PA 18105. Please write "Memorial Fund - Barbara Rodriguez" in the memo. In memory of Barbara's love of learning and language, an annual scholarship award has been established for the top student of French language at Barry University. To donate, please designate Barry University's School of Arts and Sciences (Department of English and Foreign Languages). Donations can be made online at www.barry.edu/giving/ forms/default.htm. Checks payable to Barry University in memory of Barbara Rodriguez can be sent to Barry University - Giving, 11300 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores, FL 33161, or phone 800-756-6000, ext. 3070. (RC 02-07-2010)