Barbara Ann Rodriguez

Barbara was born in Waterloo Iowa to Tyler (TJ) and Vera Higgins. She graduated from Waterloo West High School in Waterloo Iowa in 1947.

On July 2, 1950 Barbara was married to Lucio G. Rodriguez in Denver Colorado. Together they had 3 children; Marsha Fait, Carol Rodriguez and James Rodriguez, all residing in Denver.

She is survived by Marsha, Carol and James and seven grandchildren: Aaron Fait, Alishia Marshall, Adam McRoy, Jenna McCue, Jacob Rodriguez, Jonah Rodriguez and Jackson Rodriguez. She also has five great grandchildren.

Barbara was the oldest of her siblings and is survived by her youngest sister Janice Mulford (Ben Mulford) of Bradford Iowa. As well as many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Lucio Rodriguez, her parents Tyler and Vera Higgins, two brothers; Stanley and Harold Higgins, and her sister Patricia Weeks. We also must mention her favorite kitty companion Lovey, who kept her company for many years and died two months previous.

At her most recent residence (Edgewater Health and Rehabilitation) she often mentioned to her assisting CNAs, that she used to do what they are doing as a young woman. She also sold Avon and more notably she spent many years working at the General Nutrition Center. She found great satisfaction learning about nutrition and helping people with natural supplements.

She would emphasize that her belief in Jesus was more important than all her other endeavors. She was a devote Christian and attended several churches in both Iowa and Denver. She was involved in church activities like home bible studies, choir, a bereavement group, widow fellowships and supported Life for unborn babies.

Barbara was always thoughtful, silly, witty, merciful and charming. She mentored many young people, just by showing them kindnesses and sharing her wisdom.

She raised a garden almost every year. She loved seeing the plants grow and using them in meals. Even in the cold weather she would go out to the garden and pull a carrot for the dinner salad.

She was a very creative cook and could make a good meal with almost any ingredients. Some of our favorite dishes were homemade pizza including homemade dough, enchilaco pie (her own invention) and tacos. She made tasty and pretty homemade pies with great crusts and special cakes for everyone’s birthday and holidays.

Reading was a great love of hers. In recent years upon visiting the library she would pick out close to 20 books and say that she felt rich. She loved both fiction and nonfiction. Some of her many books will be available after the reception.

She loved to sing and was so happy to be in a huge holiday choir in South Denver. If you stood next to her in church you could hear her harmonize with the melody. As a young girl she hoped to be a singer on the radio. She enjoyed Christian music and had records by Andrae Crouch, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Bill Gaither Trio and Mahalia Jackson. She would march around the house and clap her hands singing along with her favorites. Barbara may be doing the same in the presence of the Lord right this moment.

The service will be held at Crossroads Church of Denver on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at 11:00am. 3010 Newland Street, Wheat Ridge CO. Reception will follow the service at the church. Burial will be at Crown Hill Cemetery at 3:00pm, 7777 W. 29th Ave, Wheat Ridge CO. Donations may be made in Barbara's honor to the Wounded Warrior Project or National Right to Life Education Trust fund