Mary Jo Rodriguez

Mary Jo Hamilton Rodriguez passed away on December 23, 2025, at the age of 92. She was a resident of the Colonnade in Surprise, Arizona. Mary Jo was the daughter of Carroll and Coral Hamilton and raised in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. She obtained a master’s degrees in guidance counseling and music at Colorado State College after achieving a bachelor’s degree in music education from Mount Union College, Summa Cum Laude. She retired after 34 years as an educator in the public school system in Pueblo, Colorado, beginning as an elementary music teacher and ending her career as the Dean of Students. She was an accomplished pianist composing and performing music at Desert Palm Presbyterian Church, as well as participating in the Bell Choir and Choir. She also accompanied the Pueblo, Colorado Choir on a European tour. Preceding her in death was her husband, Joseph, after 58 years of marriage and with whom she independently drew architectural plans and built their first home from scratch. Mary Jo was athletic and a national qualifier in triathlon competitions. Mary Jo traveled extensively around the world. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Carroll W. Hamilton, Jr. She is survived by her sister, Donna Hamilton Morse (James B.) of Canfield, Ohio, Earl Hamilton of Tucson, Arizona, and sisters-in-law Lupe Vigil and Mary Lou Perez, both of Pueblo, Colorado, as well as nieces and nephews. Mary Jo donated her body to Science Care Anatomical.