Gertrude Gloria Garcia

March 14, 1935 - December 20, 2017

Gertrude Gloria (GG) Garcia, 82, passed away on December 30th, 2017 in Houston, Texas after a fierce battle with bone cancer surrounded by her daughter, sister, her only two grandchildren and son-in-law. She was born on March 14, 1935 in El Campo, Wharton County, Texas to Paul and Helen Gutierrez. Her parents moved the family to Houston when she was ten-years-old. She was the oldest of five children and was a hard-worker from the age of eight-years old on helping to take care of the younger siblings and the home. She remained a hard-worker and busy-bee for all of her life, always trying to be as productive and helpful as possible. She is preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Mauro Garcia. She is, also preceded in death by her parents Paul and Helen Gutierrez, her son, Anthony Garcia, her sister, Rosie Millar, and her brother, Paul Gutierrez. She is survived by her daughter, Charlotte Carter Dies, her son-in-law, Kenneth Dies, her granddaughter, Camille Carter, her grandson, Barrett Carter, her sisters, Virginia Anderson and Blanche Reyes, her son-in-love, Steve Carter, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends that all adored her. She is, also, survived by her “sweetie,” Noel Rando. GG had a full, wonderful and blessed life. She loved being a mother to Anthony and Charlotte, staying home with them until they were both in school. She then took a job with the school district as a teacher’s aide, so she could be home when her children got home. She very quickly moved up the ranks in the school district to eventually become secretary to several principals before she retired from HISD. GG dedicated much of her time to volunteering with her churches, St. Ambrose and St. John Vianney and also volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul. GG was a world traveler and addicted to going on cruises. She took about 15 different cruises in her lifetime before and after her husband passed. Some of the cruises were across the sea to Spain, or to the Mediterranean. One was an Alaskan cruise. Most were cruises to many different places in the Caribbean. She never tired of being pampered on the cruise ships, and was always looking forward to planning her next trip. She and her husband were even able to travel to China thanks to their nephew. She went on many vacations with her daughter and their family including meeting them in England for a tour of the Cotswolds and exploring the city of London. GG’s, also, had a passion for her garden. She had the greenest thumb and could bring back even the deadest looking plant back to life. She took such pride in growing her beautiful plants and flowers and working in her garden was such a joy for her. Another passion of GG’s was her children and grandchildren, especially her grandchildren. She always called them, “precious” with a smile on her face just radiating her love for them. GG and her husband even gave up their home of 45 years in 2006 to move into the same neighborhood as their daughter’s family to be closer to them. They attended every event that the grandchildren had beaming with pride. GG’s greatest passion was probably her faith, her belief in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Her faith never wavered right up till the end. One of her greatest joys was saying her rosary every morning in her beautiful garden. When she made her choice to stop taking treatment after the cancer returned, she never looked back or had any doubt about her choice. She just kept saying, “I’m going to be dancing in heaven.” There is comfort to know that she is free of her illness and pain, and she is “dancing in heaven” and enjoying gardens of the most unimaginable beauty with our Savior, Christ Jesus. Don’t rest in peace, GG. LIVE eternity in peace until we can all join you again. A celebration of Gertrude’s life will be held on Saturday, February 24th at 10:00 a.m. with a memorial mass at St. Ambrose Church at 4213 Mangum Rd., Houston, TX 77092. There will be a quick, private graveside service at Woodlawn, and the family will return to St. Ambrose’s cafeteria for a lunch reception and fellowship for all of those that loved and cared about this precious woman.