Raquel Rodriguez, 12 of Tinton Falls, went to Heaven on Sunday, July 19, 2020.

She was born in Long Branch to Reyna and late Alfonso Rodriguez in 2008.

She started her education at Saint Jerome School, when she was three years old. She and her family moved to Tinton Falls in 2012 but continued at St Jeromes where she completed sixth grade this spring.

Raquel was a free spirit. She was very charismatic and socially outgoing, making new friends wherever she went. Raquel was a leader, and very outspoken.  She made it well known she did not like the color pink, always favoring blue instead.

She was very kind and generous with everyone she interacted with no matter who they were. Raquel had a great sense of humor, her laughter would light up the room. She would find humor even in the most unexpected situations, such as during her father’s death. She would crack up jokes to make the difficult times more tolerable and bearable.

Her love for animals made the decision to be a vet when she grew up extremely easy. She enjoyed spending time with animals, saying she could understand them like Dr. Dolittle. She had a cat, 2 dogs, and a bearded dragon, but her favorite animals of all time were horses which she wanted to keep at the house but was not possible.  So she especially enjoyed horseback riding.

She is survived by her sister Rebecca, grandparents George and Reyna, Godmother/Tia Eva, cousin Edward,  Uncles Tony, Victor, and Ruben, and Aunt Juana, and Elvira, and Godfather Abel.

Visitation will be held Tuesday July 28th 5:00 – 9:00 pm at the Woolley-Boglioli Funeral Home, 10 Morrell Street, Long Branch. Mass of Christian Burial will take place Wednesday, July 29th 10:00 am at St. Jerome Roman Catholic Church, 250 Wall Street, West Long Branch. Burial to follow in Glenwood Cemetery, West Long Branch.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Raquel’s name to Saint Jerome School.

The funeral home is required by the Governor of New Jersey to enforce social distancing and have a maximum capacity of 100 people.  Masks are required. Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.