Esperanza "Hope" Ybarra Rodriguez

Esperanza Y. Rodriguez
1932 - 2023
Esperanza Y. Rodriguez passed away peacefully on September 1, 2023 in Houston, TX. 
Esperanza was born on February 4, 1932 and is preceded in death by her husband, Ruben, her parents, Barbara and Julio Ybarra, her 6 sisters and 6 brothers and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is survived by her 2 devoted and loving daughters, Lourdes Burton, Loretta Pena and husband Louis Pena, her son Ruben Rodriguez and wife Debbie Rodriguez, as well as her sister Leonarda. Hope was extremely proud of her 5 grandchildren, Jamie (Lesa) Pena, Crystal (Johnnie) Medina, Megan (Phillipe) Izaguirre, Nicholas Rodriguez and Courtney Rodriguez. She adored her 4 great-grandchildren, Miranda, Lily, Johnnie Jr. (JJ) and Aria. They all filled her life with so much joy, laughter and lots of hugs and kisses.
Esperanza worked at Rice University as a receptionist for several years, at Houston Jewelers and at Fingers Furniture as a data analyst for 25 years until their closing and then at Houston Community college until her retirement in 2013.
Esperanza truly was a “mother hen” to her family as well as to their extended family and friends. Family always came first and she worked 2 jobs most of her life to provide for her 3 kids. She was an avid gardener and loved spending time tending to her roses and gardenias that she and Lou planted. She looked forward to planning each family reunion, as she came from a very large family. She loved her occasional trips to the casino’s as well as her regular visits to Spanky’s Pizza for her pizza and “rita”.  Esperanza lived life to the fullest. Whether she was dancing or playing the piano, she did so with a smile and such grace.  
Hope, as she was so affectionately known by, will be truly missed by her family and all who knew her. As the last true Matriarch, one thing she left behind is her passion for cooking. She ensured her daughter Loretta and granddaughters knew how to make her famous Thanksgiving turkey stuffing from scratch, otherwise, it just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving if it was not in attendance. From her soul soothing atole with raisins to her delicious migas, every dish was made with love. 
The family would like to thank Harbor Hospice for their exceptional care.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations we made in Esperanza’s name to Harbor Hospice and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

Visitation & Vigil: will be held at 4:00 pm, Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at

Compean Funeral Home at 2102 Broadway St.

Houston, Texas 77012  (713)-924-6900.

Mass: 10:30 am, Thursday, September 14, 2023 at

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church 7250 Harrisburg Blvd.,

Houston, Texas 77011  (713)-921-1261.

 Interment:  Forest Park Funeral Home and Cemetery at

6900 Lawndale St., Houston, Texas 77023       

Reception:  Taqueria Del Sol Banquet Hall at

 8114 Park Place Blvd., Houston, Texas 77017