Maria Rodriguez will turn 111 on August 4, 2011, making her the third oldest person in Texas and the oldest person in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Maria was born August 4, 1900 in Mexico. She was married at the age of 13. Maria had one son, Benito (Ben). Her husband died because of an accident at work, he worked for the railroad in Mexico.
Ms. Rodriguez and Benito came to San Antonio, Texas when she was 16. Later they moved to Michigan for many years. Benito stayed in Michigan. He died there in 1984, his wife still lives in An Arbor and is 90. Maria returned to San Antonio and later moved to Dallas.
Maria worked at St. Josephs Hospital in An Arbor, Michigan in the housekeeping department, and as a cook in the senior citizens center in San Antonio. Maria learned to speak English because she had to work with many only English speaking people.
She has three grand children, many great grand children and many more great-great grand children.
Maria is a very spiritual person. She prays for many people every day. Her secret to long life is to remain at peace with everyone.
Maria has seen so many changes in how people live. She moved to the U.S. when people still traveled much of the time by horseback. Her favorite food is ice cream.
Maria's closest living relative is Margie Segura, a granddaughter in law who lives in Irving and comes to see her often.
Maria now lives at Irving and Nursing Rehab, 619 N. Britain Rd., Irving Texas, 752061. The Phone Number there is 972-785-9300. Douglas Sampson is the administrator; Mary Lee Dzuck is the Activity Director.
There will be a special birthday party for Maria at 2:00 PM Aug. 4.
