Zenaida Rodriguez

Zenaida Rodriguez left us unexpectedly after a long life full of family, work, and play. Her life revolved around her family, she was steadfast in her faith. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, she leaves behind a large group of grieving family and friends: her husband of 45 years, Manuel S. Rodriguez, her two daughters, Mary Gould and Alice/Flaca Tyson, and her daughter-in-law, Sylvia Rendon. Her only son, Jimmy Rendon, left us in 2005, and we are sure he welcomed his mom to her new home with open arms. We are joined in this time of sadness and sweet remembrance by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, Zenaida’s sisters, Ernestina Espinoza, Nina Guzman, Mary Bermudez, Mary Herrera and brother Rudy Rincon, and so many nieces and nephews, cousins, as well as her in-laws, with whom she has remained close. All of our friends who came to know Mom/Nana/Zenaida join us in remembering her so fondly.

Zenaida’s family and friends knew that when they came to visit her home would be tidy and spotless AND they would be welcomed with the most wonderful smile and big hug. Almost as soon as they came into the house, they were going to be encouraged to sit down and eat and share their day’s events, good or bad. She listened to all, offering support and encouragement and most of all, reassurance that if things were going well—that was wonderful. If they weren’t going so well right now, they would be soon. As the kids grew up and brought their friends to their Nana’s house, they also found her to be a gracious and accepting hostess and an excellent cook. She was amazing!

Zenaida was the first of nine children born to Florencio and Rita Rincon. She began life in Waelder, Texas, and as the family grew, they moved first to Genoa and then Arcadia, Texas. As the first born, she helped with keeping house and the other children’s care. By the time she was 11 or 12, she worked at the neighbor’s house down the road, running errands and helping with household chores. This was the beginning of a very important aspect of Zenaida’s life: working. All her life, she wanted to stay busy, making sure her home was showcase-ready, cooking, doing laundry and ironing, keeping her three children in line, and at the same time, working as a grocery store cashier, and eventually as a successful Mary Kay Consultant. Zenaida even found time to join LULAC, at one time serving as President of the Alvin chapter. Her pride was doing an excellent job, no matter what it was. She loved meeting people and getting to know them, always a good listener.

Zenaida was a very social, fun-loving person with a ready and infectious laugh. Her sisters remember her as a beautiful young woman, generous and kind to her sisters and brothers, and she loved to dance. Each of us has stories about this enthusiasm for parties and dancing—once work was done. She loved pretty dresses, getting her hair and nails done, being with friends and family, celebrating anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, quinceaneras, and dancing! To see her enjoying herself while in the company of others was marvelous. At her 90th birthday party, she had cake, visited with friends and family, and she danced!

We will miss her gentle, caring spirit, but especially that smile and her joyous greeting to one and all: mija! mijo! She was always so happy to see us. You will always be in our hearts, Zenaida/Mom/Nana, especially when we hear that certain song, as we watch our kids grow up, as we remember the love you had for all of us and your joy for living.