Margarita C. Rodela

Margarita C. Rodela sadly and suddenly passed away from pancreatic adenocarcinoma and other complications at 11:22 pm on Thursday, October 17th, 2024, at the age of 81. A Nevada resident for over 31 years, she was deeply revered by everyone who truly knew her. Even those who initially may not have held her in high regard would eventually come to love her. She was above reproach and she treated everyone with love and respect despite any difference there may have been. Considered a pillar of strength by her family and friends, her undying loyalty and total selflessness continued long after she moved out of The Meadows. She always said the relationships created as a resident for six years meant the world to her which always had her coming back to lend a hand and a smile as well as a kind word when needed.

Margarita was born on March 17th, 1943 to Margarito and Bertha Castro in El Paso, Texas. After Margarita graduated from Monarch High School in 1961, she and her sister Rosa moved to California to live with their mother. Margarita obtained employment as a secretary for Sam’s Candle shop where she met her soon-to-be husband, Gilbert Daniel Rodela.

On October 6th, 1962, Gilbert and Margarita were married in California and nine months later on July 17th, 1963, Margarita gave birth to the first of her four children, a son named Gilbert. Ten months later on May 25th, 1964, she gave birth to a daughter named Linda (Caitlyn), and eleven months later, on April 16th, 1965, she gave birth to another daughter named Martha. Approximately 18 months later, on October 2nd, 1966, she gave birth to another son named Daniel.

Once all four of her children were out of diapers and attending school, Margarita decided to go to college to obtain her teaching degree. After receiving her teaching credentials, she was incredibly fortunate to be

placed in a full-time teaching position at Roscoe Elementary, the same school her four children were attending at the time.

Of the many jobs Margarita held and excelled at her greatest passion was her love of teaching others. Being bilingual, Margarita lovingly embraced the task of teaching boys and girls not only the fundamentals of English, math, and science but, also increasing their language comprehension, as English was considered to be their second language. Because of her uncanny ability to make the best of any situation, Margarita was also given the task of teaching children who were failing in their studies, considered troublemakers, and were on the verge of being expelled. She not only taught and brought them back up to the school’s education standard, she taught them discipline, self-respect, and a sense of dignity that would carry them forward in life. Her students would always visit her when they graduated and moved on to higher grades. Even after high school, they would stop by to see her to tell her how much she meant to them and it was only because of her that they were able to achieve a level of success and happiness in their lives.

Margarita, while raising her four children whom she was eternally proud of, was always on a quest to learn new things. As a child, she learned to play the piano and as such, would gather her children around her while she played, “The Entertainer,” by composer Scott Joplin as well as other great sheet music. Besides the piano, she learned the delicate art of oil painting. Using a pen name given to her by her grandmother Adela, the name “Torcasa,” which translates to, “Little Bird,” was signed at the bottom of every painting she lovingly created.

Creating artists of many talents, she was able to learn from her daughter Martha the intricacies and great detail used to create incredible arts and crafts. Time spent with her daughter Martha was

both educational and precious. When Martha and Carlos would come to Las Vegas to visit, they would spend time taking her out to eat, gambling at the many casinos, as well as creating lasting memories. Although they lived in California, Martha and her mother were in constant contact via text message just about every single week which Margarita always loved and cherished because despite the distance it always made her feel closer to her daughter. Her son-in-law Carlos is a flight attendant and would text her pictures of the many places that he would travel to and the hotels that he would stay in. She enjoyed receiving his texts because it made her feel as though she was there with him.

In 2023, Margarita left The Meadows to move in with her daughter Linda (Caitlyn). Initially, Margarita planned to help her daughter by driving her to her VA medical appointments, however, due to worsening health conditions beyond their control, things changed. Ultimately, they were able to spend quality time together, watching movies, going out to eat, as well as creating other meaningful mother/daughter moments such as creating islands on the video game, “Animal Crossing – New Horizons” where they were able to visit each other's islands and play the game together. Time well spent which will never be forgotten. Margarita’s four children had four distinct and unique personalities which made her smile. Her oldest son, Gilbert, with a penchant for mischief and frivolity, always had Margarita both shaking her head and laughing at the same time, bringing out her mischievous side. There was always a good time to be had when mother and son got together. The last trip they took was to California where they lodged at a place called The Wigwam Motel, in Rialto, California. Margarita couldn’t stop talking about how she stayed in a Tee-Pee-shaped room with her son. It was most memorable. They had planned to make a return trip back to The

Wigwam Motel but due to the severity of her condition, it was not possible.

Besides the deep love from her children, she enjoyed her time spent with her grandchildren. Margarita was also loved by the many friends whom she considered to be her “second family.” Friends she worked with as well as friends she made whilst living at The Meadows. Margarita would make arts and crafts and put them on the door knobs of her friends’ apartments on holidays. Even though she moved in with her daughter, Linda (Caitlyn) in 2023, she continued to show her love and support by driving her friends to medical appointments as well as other errands as necessary. With the many activities held at The Meadows, Margarita was that bright shining light as she supported her friends/residents during the many cooking classes, arts and crafts classes, as well as when someone would speak about their life’s history in a group setting. Ultimately, I would have to say that her favorite moments happened when she spent time with her best friend, Joy, who together each Wednesday, would frequent the Roberto’s Tacos on Rancho to enjoy the food as well as each other’s company. Both Margarita and Joy coined their Wednesday lunch meetings, “Taco Wednesday.”

Margarita was an incredibly independent person who also had a very private side. She also had an incredible fashion sense and would always dress to the nines. Her unyielding kindness and generosity was felt by everyone who knew her as she continuously helped and selflessly gave to others. Like clockwork, every month she and her best friend Joy would collect food and clothing for the homeless. Additionally, Margarita also knitted blankets and scarves which she would donate to those in need. Ultimately, because of the type of person Margarita was, there was absolutely nothing she wouldn’t do to help others.

Margarita was preceded in death by her parents, Margarito and Bertha Castro, her son Daniel Rodela, her two grandchildren Lance and Sir Drake Rodela, and her grandson Ryan James Ammann. She is survived by her son Gilbert Rodela, her daughter Linda (Caitlyn) Ammann, her daughter Martha Rodela-Valencia; son-in-law Carlos Valencia; granddaughter Celina Valencia, grandson Evan Christopher Ammann, granddaughter Christina Gonzalez, granddaughter Candace Rodela; her sister Rosa Montoya, sister Patsy; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

Lastly, the world lost a mother, a grandmother, a godmother, an aunt, and a friend. We can only hope to carry on with the task that started with Margarita. Our hearts are filled with such sorrow but we must seek solace in the fact that we were able to spend such precious time with someone who will always be in our hearts, never to be forgotten. Margarita will be lovingly remembered and missed by all who love her, whether it be family by blood ties or bonds formed from the heart through friendship.

To say she will be missed would truly be the greatest understatement ever. Margarita is and will always be a force to be reckoned with and I pray we carry on her legacy and memory every single day we draw breath. We love and miss you and you will be forever in our hearts.