Refugia "Cuca" Rodriguez

Refugia "Cuca" Rodriguez entered the loving arms of Our Lord on January 18, 2024 at the age of 91 years old, three months shy of turning 92 years old. Cuca was born in San Antonio, TX on April 22, 1932 to Manuel Espinoza and Consuelo Torrez Espinoza.

Cuca dedicated her life to her family, church, and serving God. She loved Jesus, reading her Bible and spending time with her family. She was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church all her life. She served in the choir, served with Las Guadalupanas and was always volunteering for various events and ministries within the church. She served as a Eucharist Minister and ministered to those in the hospital and nursing homes. She especially loved serving with Los Pastores. She always gave of her time and talents.

Our mom, Cuca, was a very friendly and giving person. She never met a stranger and always helped people. She loved her daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and would spoil them any chance she would get. She was always ready for an adventure and loved to travel and visit Kickapoo Casino. Cuca loved gardening and had a green thumb. She could make anything grow beautifully and was knowledgeable in using plants and flowers for healing.

She was always a hard worker. She worked various jobs within the school district, from working in the cafeteria to working as a teacher's aide. She also worked in housekeeping and managed several businesses. Cuca loved fashion and shopping. She would outshop all of us and still have energy to go get a taco.

Grandma Cuca had a song for every rhythm and a rhyme for every person she spoke of. She never wanted to change restaurants and when we introduced her to something new, she would say 'No me gusto la comida, but would finish everything on her plate. One of her Favorite sayings was “Do You believe” and “What's Up?” She loved to sing and feed everyone, even people she didn't know. In the end, everyone became our family.

Grandma Cuca taught us that there were no limits when it came to caring for others before herself. In her eyes everybody was worthy of her time. Even when she wasn’t feeling well, she was our Energizer bunny. She never stopped doing things, and she wore us out. She was always ready to go somewhere, especially when she learned how to drive. Refugia or Cuca as you may have called her, is walking beside God as He leads her to eternity to see her loved ones.

Grandma loved caring for animals and owned various breeds of chickens, dogs, cats and birds. Grandma always spoke of her childhood and family with love and never as if they were a burden. She was responsible for helping care for her siblings, as well as helping out with the family store and household chores. She loved telling stories of her childhood pets and the many chores for which she was responsible. She loved collecting various items, and enjoyed hunting for pieces of furniture or antiques to refurbish, clean and display.

Cuca will be reunited in heaven with her father Manuel Espinoza, her mother- Consuelo Torrez, her brothers- Manuel and Richard Espinoza, sister- Cecilia Molina. Her daughter Dolores Perez, her grandsons- Joe Nick Chano, Marcus Perez, and Gilbert "GJ" Lashley. She is also preceded in death by her first husband, Marcos Perez and her second husband- Gilbert Rodriguez.

Cuca will always be remembered; by her sister Magdalena Espinoza, daughters- Mary Magdalena Chano (†Joe Chano) and Lisa Rodriguez Lashley (Robert Lashley). Her grandchildren- Bebe Lorraine Chano (Rosemary Chano), Isaac Lashley (Erica Lashley). Great grandchildren- Ashley Hooper, Faith Perez, and King GJ Lashley. Numerous nieces and nephews and many friends.