Maria Esther Rodriguez

Maria Esther Rodriguez (81), reunited with Christ on Monday, November 4, 2024. Maria lived most of her life in Chicago, Illinois. Later, she moved to Elgin, Illinois, where she resided for several years. Due to health matters/concerns, she moved to Germantown, Wisconsin, in 2023 to live with her daughter.

Maria was one of 10 siblings and a Mother to four children (three boys and one girl), along with a large circle of cherished family and friends. She was a grandmother to four grandchildren who she loved very much,

Maria worked several factory jobs until she decided she needed a change. She left the factory work and became active in the church. She had the opportunity to go on missions’ trips to South America, Africa and Mexico, where she was able to spread love by means of serving meals, taking time to pray, and providing clothing to the poverty-stricken villages. When she was not on a missions' trip, she was busy praise dancing at church, hosting bible studies, and serving on the Ushers team. She was also a woman with a powerful prayer life! 

Along with being active in the church she decided to become a foster parent, as well as a school bus driver for handicapped children in the city of Chicago. This was her pride and joy. She loved helping children live in a good home environment while providing them the emotional stability and love they needed.

Maria spread joy wherever she went. People enjoyed her kind and sweet spirit. While in Elgin, she would cook a good meal at home, put them in containers, and then go to where the homeless resided and distribute these delicious meals. She loved crocheting, too. Today, many of her friends and family are enjoying the comforts of what her hands have made – blankets, pillow covers, bedspreads, scarves, pot stickers, and much more! She was very creative with a ball of yarn!

This wonderful Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, Cousin, etc., will be greatly missed. She left a sweet imprint on the lives of many. While mom loved blessing people, she was a very independent and private woman. With this being said, she has requested not to have a funeral service or memorial service. We will honor her request. She has asked for her ashes to be spread in the oceans of her birthplace, the island of Puerto Rico, by her daughter.

In her honor, whenever possible, just enjoy some good Puerto Rican dishes whenever you are in Chicago or among family and friends. Her favorite was Arroz con Gandules (spanish yellow rice with pigeon peas) and Pollo Guisado (chicken stew) with white rice. Let this stir up good memories of her friendship!