Elsie Mare Rodrigues, age 88, of Columbus was called home peacefully on Sept. 22, 2012 to be with the Father while at the Elizabeth House surrounded by her loving family. “Ms. Elsie,” a native of Portsmouth, R.I., was retired as a telephone operator for AT&T.
She was preceded in death by her daughters, Janet Rodrigues Billingsley and Mary Jane Rodrigues; and a  granddaughter, Jana Clairelouise Billingsley. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Karen Anne  Milazzo and J. Tom Milazzo of Columbus, two grandsons, Nathan John Milazzo and John Benjamin Milazzo , both of Columbus, and a sister, Evelyn Mare Schulz of Portsmouth, R.I.
A visitation will be held Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012 from 6-8 PM at Thomas Shepherd and Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center in Hendersonville, N.C. A funeral mass will be celebrated in her native home of Newport, R.I. later in the week. Plans for a local memorial service and interment at Shepherd Memorial Park in Hendersonville, N.C. will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Four Seasons Compassion for Life, 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, N.C. 28731. An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd and Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangements.