Maria Lourdes "Lulu" Gutierrez

Celebrating the Life of Maria Lourdes Perez Gutierrez Maria Lourdes Gutierrez, “Lulu” (as affectionately referred to by those who loved her) passed away on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, surrounded by her loving children, grandchildren and caregivers after a long and arduous battle with illness that she faced with a valor and strength we could only admire. Her children and caregivers never faltered in her care. She was born on April 28, 1930, in Union de Santa Gertudis, Jalisco Mexico to Cipriano Perez and Adelaida Franco. She was the 8th of 10 children. She attended the local parochial school until 3rd grade. Her degrees and accolades were her life experiences. Lourdes lived in Leon Guanajuato, Mexico where she worked making shoes with her father and later as a singer in restaurants in Mexico. She was courageous in her decision to leave her family in order to help them financially and traveled to Detroit, Michigan, where she worked multiple vocations. Soon afterwards, she moved to Chicago, Illinois where she met her husband, Abelardo Gutierrez. In May of 1972, she and her husband and their five children moved to Mission, Texas where she lived out the remainder of her life. She made many friends and retired from Plantation Produce of Sharyland, Texas. Maria Lourdes was widowed at 58 years old and from there on, lived independently in her home. She attended the Angeles Adult Day Care and Amigos del Valle where she was honored as their “Queen” and had many friends including the daycare director, Mari Lopez. Maria Lourdes became a proud United States citizen. She was witty, strong willed, funny, fashionable, beautiful, elegant, kind, generous and a great cook who made awesome menudo, frijoles, and tamales. She enjoyed attending the dances at her centers, sewing, playing bingo/loteria, singing, sporting events, taking pictures, cooking for her family, dressing up for holiday events, most notably the pilgrim woman outfit for Thanksgiving. She loved traveling with her children and making special memories. She was very proud of her grandchildren and attended every graduation. Preceded in death by: Cipriano Perez (father), Adelaida Franco (mother), spouse Abelardo Arredondo Gutierrez, and siblings: Teresa Perez, Alfonso Perez, Arturo Perez, Celia Perez, Jose Jesus Perez, Cipriano Perez Jr, Maria Berta Perez, Luis Perez, Adela Perez. Survived by: Children: Leticia Gutierrez Ortiz (Salvador Ortiz) of Spring, TX; Carmen Gutierrez Correa (Miguel Correa) of McAllen, TX; Abelardo Gutierrez (Mirel Ravelo) of Mission, TX; Edith Gutierrez (Hector Flores) of Mission, TX; Juan Arturo Gutierrez (Lisa Moreno Gutierrez) of Mission, TX. Grandchildren: Abelardo Gutierrez III, Alyssa Nicole Gutierrez, Nicole Evelyn, Andres Ortiz, Juan Arturo Gutierrez Jr., Alexander Ray Correa, Ricardo Tomas Gutierrez, Hannah Maria Ortiz Loiacono (Anthony Loiacono), Brianna Raine Gutierrez, Stephanie Matelin Gutierrez (Hector Ponce Jr.), Eric Hector Flores (Stephanie Cantu), Sofia Carina Correa (Rogelio Morin), Evelyn Gutierrez, Heather Edith Flores. Great Grandchildren: Miley Paige and Ezekiel Eric Flores. We would like to thank her wonderful caregivers, Norma Casas, Karen Torrez Gutierrez and Yolanda Torrez Espinoza. A special thank you, also, to her niece and Godchild, Maria Elena Perez (Nina) for reconnecting and staying in touch. We will never forget her love for her family and for life! We will honor her by being the best that we can be. Until we meet again. Funeral Services are with Virgil Wilson Mortuary in Mission, TX. Viewing will be Sunday, October 31, 2021 from 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm with Rosary at 7:00 pm. Church service will be on Monday, November 1, 2021 at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Mission, TX.

Maria Lourdes "Lulu" Gutierrez

April 28, 1930 - October 26, 2021