Ignacia G. "Nacha" Rodriguez, age 86, of Celina, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at Mercer Health in Coldwater, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born July 1, 1937 in China, Nuevo Leon, Mexico to the late Victor and Juanita (Cantu) Gonzalez. On August 12, 1957 she married Tolentino "Tino" Rodriguez and he survives at their residence in Coldwater.

Other survivors include her children, Thomas Rodriguez, Celina, Tino Rodriguez, Celina, Margaret (Pete) Ausland, Coldwater and Sophia (Lori Miller) Rodriguez, Celina; seven grandchildren, Ryan, Curtis, Lee, Sarah, Markie, Jacob, Carly and Jessie; and thirteen great grandchildren.

She is also preceded in death by five brothers, Vicente, Victor, Roberto, Vicente and Liborio; ten sisters, Margarita, Antonia, Trinidad, Macedonia, Victoria, Dominga, Eudelia, Juanita, Elvira and Maria Helen; and a great-grandchild.

Nacha and her husband Tino owned and operated Casa Rodriguez in Celina for many years. Nacha enjoyed traveling to visit family, working in her restaurant, and casinos in which she never lost and Tino had to always borrow money. Her philosophy was simple. We are put on this earth to help people. She was instrumental in the creation of the Cranberry Prairie Church which performed mass in Spanish for migrant workers in the area and volunteered as a translator for the clinic for low income and migrant workers at Coldwater hospital in the late 70's. She would visit migrant camps and pass information to the women for healthcare information from the clinic.

She was also part of the cohort that created the Mexican American United non-profit organization to assist low income and migrant workers in Mercer County. The dream of a family restaurant began in part due to the Taco Stand at the Mercer County Fair where Nacha could be found cooking good Mexican food for the attendees all day.

In opening Casa Rodriguez in 1981, Tino and Nacha wanted people to be able to get good food and feel welcomed and safe. They wanted to create jobs and opportunities for their family to be productive citizens. In doing so, they also created a space for family's and friends' gatherings during celebrations in life and in death.

Nacha was not an easy woman to work with. She expected your best, your loyalty, and to listen to her instructions, exactly. It has been said that one could tell Nacha's mood by how hot the hot sauce was. She never settled for anything but quality food and the best work from herself and her employees at the restaurant. One knew she was serious by the tapping of her fingertips on the table when she spoke. She believed one's worth was by the work one's hands did. If she had her way, the restaurant would be open during her funeral. She raised the level of expectations by simply being present.

To her, family was everything. She was passionate, compassionate, temperamental, forgiving, and loving. Family was defined by her love towards you. She could whip out profanity like no other in Spanish, was never wrong, and yes, occasionally threw a chancla at her children in their youth. But, she was always dependable with helpful words, a kind hug, a good laugh, and sometimes a little bit of money. She leaves a legacy like no other.

She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Celina, Mexican American United, and Celina Moose.

Visitation hours will be from 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at Cisco Funeral Home in Celina.

Mass of Christian burial will begin at 10:30 am on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Celina, with Fr. Prashanth Kumar Bandanadham officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:00 am - 10:00 am at the funeral home Wednesday morning. Burial will follow at Mercer Memory Garden in Celina.

Contributions can be made to Mexican American United.

Cisco Funeral Homes of Celina & St. Marys are honored to care for Nacha and her family. To pay respects and to leave online condolences or memories, visit www.ciscofuneralhome.com or Cisco Funeral Home Facebook page.