Marta Gutierrez

The clouds opened up yesterday and rain came down from the heavens like tears, as our lovely mother, Marta L. Gutierrez, slowly passed away to join her husband of 65 years, our beloved father, in heaven, a mere four and a half months after his passing.

Our "warrior" finally lost her 21 year fight with cancer after a long and courageous battle that taught us a true lesson about faith, love, kindness, and inspired us with her perseverance and conviction. Her loving and generous nature also showed us how to structure a life based on love, loyalty, and friendship to all. "Tienes que cumplir" was her everlasting motto. Mom taught us to always extend a helping hand to all who needed it.

Our mother proudly worked at S&H Kress for over 20 years and finished her career at JC Penney where she made numerous lifelong friends whom she dearly cherished. She loved to dance the night away at Kress reunions, New Year’s "Epoca de Oro" dances and our special brother Mario's annual birthday parties. The friendliest person ever put on this earth, Mom could spark up a conversation with anyone and anywhere. Her pride and joy were her grandchildren and great-grand-children. Her zest for living was unparalleled and her everlasting love and devotion to our brother Mario was second to none.

Our mother was preceded in death by her husband, Hector D. Gutierrez, Sr., parents Zeferino and Josefina Ledesma, siblings Vicente, Zeferino, Camilo, and Tomasita.

She is survived by her children, Sylvia (John) Quinn, Hector D. (Olga), Adolfo (Sylvia) and Mario Alberto. She is also survived by her brother Juan Manuel (Maria Elena) Ledesma, her sister Marta Gonzalez-Cruz, her grandchildren Hector D. (Farah) Gutierrez III and Jessica (Orlando) Mondragon, 5 great-grandchildren, her brother-in-law, Feliciano (Amparo +) Gutierrez and sister-in-law, Rosa Maria (Phillip +) Smith, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to Dr. Luis Benavides and staff, and Dr. Eduardo Miranda and staff for providing her with the utmost care. Special thanks to her faithful and loyal caregivers, Rosie, Graciela and Luz and her close friends, Juanita Cantu, Elena Moreno, and Norma Guevara, and to all the relatives, friends and neighbors who were always there to lend a helping hand.

Mom, you have left a void in our hearts that we know can never be filled, but we know you are in heaven dancing and singing with Dad.

Visitation will be held Thursday, December 21, 2017, from 5 to 9 in the evening at Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapels, 719 Loring at Cortez. A Rosary will be held at 7 in the evening.

Funeral services will be held Friday, December 22, 2017, departing the funeral home at 8:30 a.m. to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00 a.m.

Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Juan Manuel Ledesma, Hector D. Gutierrez, Jr., Adolfo Gutierrez, John Quinn, Mario Alberto Gutierrez, Hector D. Gutierrez IV, Orlando Mondragon, Jeff Smith, Javier Pena, and Vicente Ledesma, Jr.

You may express your condolences to the family online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com

Arrangements are under the direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson Heights Funeral & Cremation Services, 719 Loring at Cortez, Laredo, TX 78041, 956-722-0001