Teacher Cristina spent 21 years with the USC community and touched countless lives in the process. As the kitchen manager she had a unique role of knowing exactly what every child could/couldn’t eat or did/didn’t like. This attention to detail persisted in her care for staff, as she would make them little plates of breakfast or set aside leftovers in the break room… somehow always remembering who liked which foods. Food is nourishment, but so are smiles. So is the feeling that someone is thinking about you. So is camaraderie. Ms. Cristina understood this intrinsically. In more ways than one, her presence at the center nourished us daily. 
In addition to her responsibilities as cook, Ms. Cristina spent time in classrooms of every age group. Her love of the children and eagerness to help made her adaptable to any environment. She always had an encouraging word, and demonstrated a genuine interest in their thoughts and actions. Her eyes lit up when she interacted with “her kids”, as did theirs. In her many years at both the HSC and Alcazar centers she counted herself so fortunate to have seen many sibling groups grow up. She became part of an extended family for these families that knew her for so long; though whether she met you yesterday or ten years ago when you heard “How are you, my friend?” you could feel that she meant it. She was so loved.
Somehow teacher Cristina never seemed tired. She always had it in her to do one more act of kindness. Lend one more helping hand. Make one more light hearted joke at her own expense. She fed off of the love that she gave and the love that she received, and she had a shining light that was unable to be extinguished, even in her passing. Her warmth continues to be felt here in the hearts of all, but her physical presence will be missed forever. 

“The great acts of love are done by those who are habitually performing small acts of kindness”


Funeral Service

Graveside Service

Jose A. Alvarado

Oakdale Mortuary & Memorial Park

Maria Rodriguez

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Maria Cristina Rodriguez

September 10, 1961 – December 28, 2020

Oakdale Mortuary & Memorial Park

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