Sister Nicholas Marie (Benita Rodriguez) was born on March 21, 1932, in Houston, Texas, and died on May 27, 2017, at the age of 85.  Sr. Nicholas was preceded in death by her parents, Manuel and Cayetana (Flores) Rodriguez, two brothers, Amadeo and Tony, and two sisters, Sr. Rita Rodriguez and Natividad Gonzalez.  She is survived by a brother, Roque, numerous nieces and nephews, their spouses and their children.

The Rodriguez family has been long time parishioners of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Houston, Texas, where Sr. Nicholas was baptized on May 24, 1932.

Sr. Nicholas served the Lord as a Sister of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for 69 years.

She accepted numerous challenges and calls in order to live the mission entrusted to the Congregation.  Her deep faith and particular love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary sustained her in her life.

Her greatest love was for music, which she taught from 1948-1966.  Sister taught at Mount Sacred Heart School from 1956-1970 and again from 1983-1989.  Sister also taught at Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Houston; Our Lady of Sorrows, San Antonio and at St. Patrick's School, Raton, NM.  She was a parish volunteer in Vienna, MO, for two years prior to retiring in 2003.  Sister resided at St. Francis Nursing Home since 2011 where she animated the liturgy until recently.

Sister Nicholas was a talented calligrapher as well as an accomplished musician.  She played both organ and piano as well as a lively accordion.  Sister loved to entertain at whatever gathering she was at.

Sister was a woman of few words, which she once justified by saying that we will have to account for every word we speak.

The Sisters thank God for Sister Nicholas' long and faithful life.  God's love manifested in the Heart of Christ remained the hidden treasure in her sunset years.  By her witness of deep prayer and abandonment to Providence, she has passed on the legacy of a consecrated life.

The Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus sincerely thank the Seraphic Sisters and the staff at St. Francis Nursing Home where Sister received such excellent care.  They also thank the doctors and other medical staff that cared so graciously for Sister Nicholas.

FUNERAL SERVICES

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

Memorials may be made to the
Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Heart-to-Heart Fund
to support the mission and ministry of the Religious Institute.