Monica Rodriguez

Monica Salazar Rodriguez, 85, of Odessa, was called to her eternal home on December 3, 2020 at her residence.

On Wednesday, December 23rd a Rosary will be recited at 9:30am in her honor, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00am at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church with Msgr. Bob Bush officiating. Burial will follow at Ector County Cemetery, Los Angeles section.

Monica was born on August 10, 1935 in Barrio de los Montoya, El Mulato, Municipio de Ojinaga, Chihuahua, Mexico, the first of seven children to parents Petra Montoya and Jose Maria Salazar. On February 11, 1956 she married Jose Ramirez Rodriguez in Ojinaga, Chihuahua, Mexico, and soon after they moved to Odessa, TX to begin their married life and start a family. Monica was a homemaker, but after her children grew up, she worked outside the home at Levi Strauss, Texas Instruments, Manuel’s Tortilla & Tamale Factory and from home as a nanny. In retirement, she lovingly cared for her young grandchildren in her home while their parents worked. Monica was strong in her Catholic faith and loved her family. The door to her home was perpetually open and she welcomed visits from family and friends alike; always ready to serve delicious home cooking or baked goods. Monica generously contributed her time and talent on many occasions when food was needed for a family gathering or celebration, when she was asked to lead the Rosary at St. Anthony’s on Sundays or at funeral services and participated in prayer novenas for loved ones who had passed away. She bravely accepted the rigors of cancer treatments, in an attempt to extend her time on this Earth with her family, but unfortunately succumbed to the illness.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Baltazar Salazar and Alberto Salazar.

She is survived by her husband, Jose Rodriguez, sons Jaime Rodriguez, Oscar Rodriguez and wife Amber, Armando (Mando) Rodriguez and wife Rosa, Jose Rodriguez, Jr and wife Diana, daughters Josie Salcido and husband Eloy, Gracie Rodriguez and husband Tony Acosta, siblings Gustavo Salazar, Daniel Salazar and wife Balbina, Socorro Santos and husband Juan Ramon, Teresa Salgado, 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Josue Salcido, Diego Acosta, Marco Acosta, Daniel Torres, Jaime Rodriguez, Mando Rodriguez and Jose Rodriguez, Jr. Honorary pallbearer will be John Michael Rodriguez.

The Rodriguez family is eternally grateful for the outpouring of love and condolences. In an effort to comply with safety and social distancing mandates, we have been asked to limit attendance to the funeral services to immediate family. Arrangements are entrusted to Martinez Funeral Home and Crematory in Odessa, Texas.