Fundraiser in Memory of Margarita Rodriguez

Margarita Rodriguez was a valued member of the Rice community. Her work over the 40 years on the Facilities, Engineering and Planning custodian team in the Shepherd School of Music will have a lasting impact on the Rice community for years to come. Her colleagues described her as a joyous person with an unforgettable smile.

This past Monday, November 2nd, the Rice community received news that Ms. Rodriguez had passed away the previous Friday due to complications related to COVID-19, which she contracted several weeks ago. Her death is a painful reminder of both the seriousness of this disease and the responsibility each of us has to protect the most vulnerable members of our community. This is only one example of the sacrifices those at FE&P and H&D take every day to ensure campus stays up and running. These departments continue to be the backbone of campus life and we should not take this fact lightly.

Our hearts are with the Rodriguez family including Margarita’s son, Mario Rodriguez, who also works for the FE&P team. We have created this fundraiser to support the Rodriguez family in paying for any leftover medical expenses they incurred from her hospital stay and funeral fees. Mario is the ultimate beneficiary of this fundraiser and will use the funds for the purposes stated above. Mario and FE&P have given us permission to go ahead with creating this page and all donations will go directly to the family. If you would prefer to not pay the (3%) GoFundMe processing fees, you can also Venmo @Mannyoli4 (no longer to Stephany's Venmo) as an alternative (Manny is another one of Margarita's family members, Mario's nephew).