On Christmas Eve, 1947, Donald and Dorothy Rodriguez were blessed with an early Christmas gift — a baby girl.

Lelona, known to most as Lonnie, attended South Bay School. The family, including her younger brother Don Jr., moved back to New Orleans to be closer to their extended family. Shortly after the birth of her sister, Lisa, they packed up again and headed back to California, this time settling in Korbel. Lonnie and her brother attended the Korbel school where many memories were made. After Arcata High school graduation, Lonnie attended HSU, where she earned a scholarship.

At the age of 19, on a trip home to Louisiana, she decided to stay and look for work. She met and married her husband Darrell, and on a Friday the 13th in June, her son Darrell III was born. When her marriage ended, she and little Darrell came back to the Arcata/Eureka area, where she went to work for the Daly Bros. department store. She retired after 35 years of service with the Humboldt County Accounts Payable department.

Lonnie joined Big Brothers & Big Sisters, enjoyed bowling and was a master at cribbage and bridge. She played cards as often as she could until she couldn’t anymore. She was instrumental in the opening of the Eureka Dog Park, raising funds and getting the park started. Rain or shine, she also locked up the dog park at night.

Lonnie, being raised in Eureka and also in the Big Easy, loved to travel “home” for Mardi Gras. She was proud to take some her close friends for the big party and parades.

Lonnie was preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy and Donald Rodriguez. She took care of our dad when he fell ill and moved him into her home. She is survived by her son Darrell III and his girlfriend Reannon, brother Donald and wife Sandy, sister Lisa and husband Terry, as well as six nieces and one nephew, and many extended family. She also leaves behind her two dogs, Frodo & T-bow, who she absolutely adored.

A memorial service and potluck will be held on March 26, 2 p.m. at the Moose Lodge in Eureka for family and friends.

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The obituary above was submitted by Lelona Songy’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.