Teresa Martinez Rodriguez

Teresa Martinez Rodriguez Teresa Martinez Rodriguez, 95, passed away on March 7, 2013. She was devoted to her faith, family, and community and was an enthusiastic friend to many in South Texas.Teresa was raised on her father’s ranch in Zapata County and was a proud 1939 graduate of Martin High School. She met her husband, Tomás, in downtown Laredo while he worked as an automobile salesman. They married on June 27, 1942 and together they formed Rodríguez Pipe & Steel Company, an international business anchored in Laredo with past locations on San Enrique Avenue, Maryland Avenue, Corpus Christi Street, and decades later on Calton Road and Santa Maria Avenue. For more than four decades, their business flourished in trade, commerce and construction. A woman of unshakeable faith in her Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, her greatest legacy to her descendants is that great faith, intimacy with the Lord Jesus, and service to others in the most unselfish and discrete manner. Shying away from public recognition of her deeds, she prompted her children to serve the Lord out of love for Him, not for rewards’ sake. She was active in her parish, as a choir member and catechist. Her beautiful melodious voice was heard daily at home, in church and at gatherings with her friends. Her catechism students will remember her tenderness, joyful character, and creative teaching style. She enjoyed reading and traveling and used all new knowledge to impart to her students. Once she lived her Cursillo, she became committed to great service within the Cursillo de Cristiandad Movement as a member of the “Mesa de Dirigentes” and presenter in countless Cursillos. It was her grace, wisdom and unselfish service to others that endeared her to many. A woman of great prayer and student of the Holy Scriptures, she allowed her spirit to grow by following the teachings of the Lord Jesus and fidelity to His Church. As a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, she adhered closely to carrying out works of charity, service to the poor, fidelity to the Church, support of seminarians and priests, works of mercy, and all other forms of servant leadership. As a member of the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary, she visited the sick and encouraged the families of countless hospital patients. A naturally gifted artist, she served as historian and created competitive scrapbooks in several organizations. When her children were school-age, she was active in the Parent Teacher Organizations, sponsoring booths during the Ursuline Academy and St. Joseph Academy Jamaicas. Her booth was the “Doll Booth” where she raffled dolls that she personally handcrafted dresses for. A member of the “All Catholic High School Parents’ (ACHP) Organization, she helped sponsor the annual Posadas, Quinceañeras, Dances, and Plays. Her children treasure her support in all of their sports, dance, music, and school related activities during their childhood. Later, as her children attended university, she actively participated in the Texas A & M Mothers’ Club and Texas Woman’s University Hometown Students’ Club. Affectionately known as Gomo to her grandchildren, she always made time to nurture them, teach them, cook with them and enjoy their activities. A great matriarch, her great-grandchildren also enjoyed her many gifts. Her graceful manner of speaking, service and loving is treasured in the heart of the beautiful family she helped create. Her love and respect for her husband was shared with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in a manner that kept his memory alive during her forty-seven years of widowhood. Recognizing her purpose in life, she passed through this world and left it better. Teresa, affectionately known as “Teresita” is preceded in death by her parents, Refugio Martinez and María de Jesús Medina-Martinez; brother, Luis Martinez; husband Tomás María Rodriguez; their children, José Espiridión, Teresita del Niño Jesús and Angelita. She is survived by her children, Tomás María (Diana Canales) Rodríguez, María de la Luz “Lucy” Rodríguez (Alberto Patricio) Cárdenas and Ricardo “Richard” Adalberto Rodríguez; nephews and nieces, Teresa Martinez-Cox (Dennis†), Luis (Argelia) Martinez, Robert (Rosemary) Martinez, Richard (Rosie†) Martinez, Chester (Toni) Martinez, George (Karen) Martinez and Brenda Martinez-Castillo (Noé Esparza);9 grandchildren, Patricia Pilar Rodríguez Sepesi, Tomas María(Olga) Rodríguez, Laura Leticia Rodriguez Kitkowski, Carlos Javier (Pamela) Rodríguez, Cristina Doda Cárdenas (Daniel) Ramirez, Alberto Patricio Cárdenas Jr., Maradelle Lilliam Cárdenas (Gilberto) Lara, Maria Teresa Rodríguez and Yessenia Ilana Rodríguez (Jack) Zigtema,16 great – grandchildren, Gonzalo Rodríguez, Fernando Rodríguez, Daniel Barrientos, Jr., Nathaniel Roberto “Bobby” Barrientos, Tomás Manuel Rodríguez, Renee Kristine Sepesi, Raquel Irene Barrientos, Melissa Bernice Lara, Rafael José Barrientos, José Gilberto Lara, Michael Andrew Kitkowski, Daniel Candelario Ramírez, Johnathan Phillip Kitkowski, Luz Celestina Lara, Tomás Patricio Ramirez and Gilberto Saúl Lara. A vigil will be held on Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 7 p.m. in the Hillside Funeral Home Chapel. A visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. A rosary will be recited by the Catholic Daughters, Court Isabella the Catholic #683 at 5:30 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 11, 2013 at 10 a.m. from Hillside Funeral Home to St. Patrick Catholic Church. Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at the family plot of the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Sacred Heart Children’s Home of Laredo, 3310 S. Zapata Highway, Laredo, Texas 78046 or Casa Guadalupe House of Discernment of the Diocese of Laredo, 2301 Corpus Christi Street, Laredo, Texas 78043. The family wishes to thank the following: Dr. Luis Benavides for his tender care of their mother, the staff of Doctors Hospital of Laredo, Laredo Specialty Hospital, and her personal care-givers, Imelda, Fabiola, Tere, Diana and most especially, Maria de la Cruz Mata de Botello. If you would like to sign the guestbook or send private condolences, you may do so at www.hillsidefuneral.com Arrangements are under the direction of Hillside Funeral Home, 310 Hillside Road.