Obituary of Linda K. Rodriguez
Linda K. Rodriguez passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer on Sunday, December 13, 2020 at Morristown Medical Center. She was just five days shy of spending 61 years of unconditional love, infectious laughter, and priceless memories with family and friends.
Born in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri to Rudolph “Rudy” and Jane (Wadsten) Katzenberger, Linda was the oldest of five, all of whom were raised in Parsippany. She was a proud cheerleader at Parsippany Hills High School, where she met her soulmate and best friend, Anthony “Tony” Rodriguez. After graduating high school in 1978, the childhood sweethearts went on to graduate from Seton Hall University. In 1984, Tony and Linda were married and they settled into homes in both Butler and Stanhope, NJ. Linda began her career as an accountant at Suburban Propane in Whippany.
In 1996, Linda and Tony found their forever home on Lake Tranquility in Green Township, where they began a family and were very active in the community. Once Linda became a mom, she found her true calling. Her children were her greatest pride and joy and there was nothing she wouldn’t do for them. She was a hockey mom, soccer coach, Girl Scout troop leader and “cookie mom,” and swim team mom. Everyone at Green Hills Elementary School quickly came to love Linda. She was always the first one to volunteer.
Linda was a great cook and baker, and everyone loved her famous chili and meatballs—which were passed down from her mother-in-law, as well as her delicious homemade cheesecake.
Sports were a huge part of Linda’s life. Whether it was a Seton Hall Pirates basketball game or a New York Giants football game, Linda was watching. Her favorite athletes, however, were her kids and she loved watching them play soccer, ice hockey, or lacrosse, or competing in a pool or lake. Linda was also a member of Good Shephard Roman Catholic Parish in Andover and St. Catherine of Siena Church in Mountain Lakes.
Family was Linda’s first priority. She adored and selflessly cared for not only her husband and children, but nieces and nephews and extended family alike. Linda truly had a love of life. Sitting by the fire, sipping on her Blue Moon, numerous boat rides around Lake Tranquility, and admiring its breathtaking sunsets are just some treasured memories.
Although we are deeply saddened by her passing, we take comfort in knowing we have the greatest guardian angel watching out for us from above.
Linda leaves only joyful memories to her loving husband of 36 years, Tony, and her cherished children, Marie and Kevin. She is also survived by her loving parents, Rudy and Jane; her caring siblings, Carl Katzenberger and his wife Liz, Greg Katzenberger and his wife Denise, Rudy Katzenberger and his wife Laura, predeceased brother Michael Katzenberger and his wife Denise, as well as her devoted sister-in-law, Annette Czeterko and her late husband Jack, and her dear Aunt “Ole Sue” Katzenberger. Linda leaves many nieces and nephews, extended family, neighbors, friends, and her faithful pup, Tucker.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, December 21 at 11 am at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 10 N. Pocono Road, Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046. Burial will follow at Holy Name Cemetery in Jersey City. Public Walkthrough Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 20 from 2 - 5 pm at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville. Memorial Donations are being accepted by way of www.inmemof.org to the American Cancer Society. Please leave a condolence, light a candle, and share your favorite memory of Linda here to continue to celebrate the incredible life she endowed to us.
