Maria Luisa Roche de Rodriguez

Mrs. Rodriguez was preceded in death by her husband, Emilio Rodriguez in 2009, and three sisters. She is survived by a sister, Judith Roche de Robles, of Rio Piedras, PR; sons Emilio "Jr" Rodriguez Ana of Houston, Texas, and Glenn Debbie of Louisville, KY; daughter Belinda Vazquez Jaime of San Antonio, Texas; 9 grandchildren: Shayla and Javier Bell, Alysha and Michael Emery, Jarit and Jason Macias, Carmen Luisa and James Cripps, Glendali and Turner Howard-Rodriguez, Zamara and Levi Johnson, Lymari and Scott Ames, Nicole Vazquez and Jaime Emilio Vazquez; and 11 great-grandchildren: Devin Emilio Bell, Jadyn Mariana Bell, Chyann Alyss Mercedes Williams, Michael Champ Emery, JaKai Macias, Rubén Turner Rodriguez, Lorenzo Emil Rodriguez, Olevir Rodriguez Johnson, Gabriel Parker Cripps, Emilio Jaime Ames, and Patrick Scott Ames, along with many family members in Puerto Rico.

Maria was born in Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico in April, 1923 to Narciso and Ana Roche, as the eldest of their five daughters. She married Emilio Rodriguez on April 18, 1943 and began her life as a military wife. Numerous moves throughout the United States, France, and Panama were accompanied by the births of her three children. She embraced the communities she lived in, remained friends with residents for years, and was truly a Goodwill Ambassador. She made everyone laugh this past year as she spoke French, Spanish and English at the Christmas celebration.

Maria "Magui" and her husband retired in the Santa Rosa neighborhood of Bayamon, PR where they remained until 2006, when they relocated to be near family in Texas. She moved to Garden Ridge Assisted Living following the death of her husband, where she became a beacon of love for the staff and the other residents. She always had a smile and a kind touch for anyone she came in contact with. She welcomed family and friends to her home whenever she had the opportunity and always shared sweets and refreshments.

Her family will remember their Abuelita as the solid rock behind Abuelo CheChe, an outgoing musician and the "character" of the family. She was famous for her "arroz con pollo y habichuelas " and passed along her recipes to anyone who wanted to learn. She loved any opportunity to shop and enjoyed watching Spanish soaps on television.

Grandchildren remember a woman who was dedicated to her family and devoted to her loved ones. She found opportunities to make lasting memories with them by watching Princess Diana's wedding and participating in the San Antonio Turkey Trot when she was well into her 80's. She tried to instill in them a love for beauty and bargain-hunting, and never gave up trying to teach the girls how to be a "proper Puerto Rican wife" to their husbands. Holding her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as babies and watching them grow into beautiful people gave her much joy.

While the family will miss her presence, all wish her a happy journey and a wonderful "re-encuentro" with Abuelo Cheche.

Maria's life will be remembered and celebrated on Friday, April 15, 2011 at 10 am with a mass at Holy Trinity Catholic Church on 20523 Huebner Rd, San Antonio, TX. Inurnment will follow at Ft. San Houston National Cemetery where she will be laid to rest beside her beloved "Millo".

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Heartland Hospice www.heartlandhospicefund.org or to an organization of your choice.