Raquel Alcala Rodriguez

Native Houstonian Raquel Alcala Rodriguez passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023 after nearly 81 years of serving and loving her family, friends, and even strangers. Raquel is survived by her husband of nearly 63 years, Roberto Rodriguez, who remained by her side even as she took her final breath. She is also survived by her four children and their spouses, Janie (Frank), Xavier “Boogie” (Lisa), Christopher (Laurie), and Tony; two siblings, Jane and Cynthia; 18 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and countless nieces, nephews, and extended family. Raquel was preceded in death by her siblings Amparo, Raymond, Brigida “Brenda,” Isabel, Martha, and Roland.  

Raquel was born on Oct. 19, 1942 to Manuel Alcala, whom she adored and cared for until he passed away in 1995, and Carolina Alcala who died in 1991. Raquel was raised in Allen-Genoa and returned to Houston where she attended Austin High School and then lived much of her life in Houston’s historic second ward. 

Raquel met Roberto through family when she was 15. They started spending time together, attending parties and going on double dates with friends who they would, at times, smuggle into the Market Street Drive-In Theater. Roberto and Raquel, or “Teófila” as he affectionately called her, wed at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Houston on Sept. 25, 1960. 

An extremely accomplished baker and cake artist, Raquel was widely known for her exquisite and elaborate cakes – many of which towered over the people she lovingly baked them for. From birthday sheet cakes, decorative quinceañera doll cakes, to her multi-tiered wedding cakes, there was only one type of cake Raquel refused to make – a plain one. She served as a leader of several bakery departments across the city including at Weingarten's, Safeway, AppleTree, Rice Epicurean, HEB, and Target.

Raquel was also a direct woman who unapologetically shared her thoughts openly, both through words and her iconic reactions that let you know the bite of food she just had wasn’t hot enough or the diet soda water she just sipped was actually just water. She frequently and proudly reminisced about her youthful beauty – pulling out photos of her wedding to show off her 19 inch waist and hourglass figure. Her Estée Lauder Youth-Dew perfume heralded her arrival to any event and she was rarely seen without her lipstick – or the envelopes she blotted with, which could always be found in her purse, along with her full-sized Tabasco sauce for when, inevitably, the food she was served “had no flavor.” 

Raquel was the quintessential bargain shopper, she loved a sale and knew that purchasing 50 pounds of holiday candy that was marked 75% off, was a smarter decision than buying the same amount of candy over the course of the year – as you can easily freeze chocolate. When you came into her house, you knew you were welcome as family as she pushed a third or fourth plate of food in front of you along with a handmade tortilla fresh off the stove, or when she pulled out her industrial-sized container of foil to wrap up food para llevar.

Raquel loved frogs, knickknacks, and the color purple. She collected “good” towels that were only ever meant to sit in the closet and never be used. She had the most inventive hiding spots for all her valuable items – her jewelry, her phone, and even her money. She prepared for and celebrated every single holiday with exuberance, and was known as the grandma who hid money in the Easter eggs, had all the scary Halloween decorations, and the most beautiful Christmas lights. She watched every novela there was, and while typically known as a slower driver, if it was time for her novelas, you didn’t want to be in her way on the road, or in her car. Her grandchildren can attest that if Grandma was dropping you off somewhere and a novela was coming on soon, she may slow down to let you out, but she wasn’t coming to a complete stop.

Raquel also had a deep faith in God from a very young age – walking a mile as a teen to attend mass. When she learned anyone was facing a challenge or illness, even if she never met the person, she immediately added them to her prayers. She would say special rosaries and light a new candle for them – adding their individual candle to the handful of other candles already burning in her room. She believed there wasn’t a thing a novena couldn’t help and was a devout believer in God’s miracles. She made countless vigils to the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan de Valle National Shrine to express her appreciation for all His blessings, frequently walking the Stations of the Cross. 

More than anything, Raquel was known as “Mom,” “Tía,” and “Grandma” to so many more people than she was directly related to. She took on these roles, loving and caring for others as she did her own blood. 

Grandma, we were all blessed to have you in our lives. While we wish we had even more time with you, we will share the amazing memories and stories of you with our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Her family and friends will gather on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 at Compean Funeral Home from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with a rosary at 11:30 a.m., and will host a reception to celebrate her life at 1 p.m. at the IBEW Local 66 in Pasadena.

In lieu of flowers, we welcome anyone who is inclined, to donate to the Houston Food Bank in Raquel’s name.