Elvira "Vera" Gutierrez

Elvira “Vera” Gutierrez, 88, passed away on Monday, September 25, 2023, in Galveston, TX, surrounded by her loving family. Vera was a proud BOI and our very own St. Paddy’s Day Baby, born March 17, 1935 to Fabian and Elisa Gutierrez. She attended Goliad Elementary School, Austin Middle School, and was a proud graduate of Ball High School Class of 1954. She held special memories of her Tornette and Powder Puff years strutting her purple and gold pride.    

As a young teenager, Vera worked at Farb’s Drugstore as a soda fountain girl. One day a boy walked into the store and asked her out on a date. Of course she rejected him numerous times until she finally agreed to one dinner. Their lives were forever changed, and they married April 14, 1954 and had four beautiful children.    

Vera worked as a dental assistant for over 50 years with many Galveston dentists. While working full time she dedicated countless hours volunteering at her children’s schools. She was a member of the Ball High Choir Booster Club for her son and Band Booster Club for her daughters. Her greatest joy came from spending her retirement years attending the many sporting events for her grandchildren. She and Joe were the biggest cheerleaders at baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, and football games. The two could also be found at the casinos winning big bucks from the slots. Later in life she volunteered at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church as a member of the Damas and Bereavement Committees. She enjoyed helping families that needed the support, love, and hugs during the loss of a loved one. Even through great pain she knew how important it was to give back to her church community. And until the very end, Vera was an avid Astros fan. She refused to leave the house if she could not watch “the game.” She knew all of the players’ strengths and weaknesses and never recovered from Gurriel being replaced with Abreu.    

Vera is preceded in death by her parents; husband of 54 years, Joe Gutierrez; her only son and beautiful boy, Andrew; son-in-law, Scott Muraca, Sr.; brothers, Frank Gutierrez and Fabian Gutierrez (Maggie); sisters, Margaret Rodriguez and Norma Reyna (George); great-granddaughters, Courtney Madden and Kennedy Cooper.    

She is survived by her daughters, Cindy Muraca, Diana Chide and husband Kenny, Elizabeth Bennett and husband Jack; grandchildren, Marisa Madden (Shawn), Scott Muraca, Jr. (Brooke), Stefanie Muraca (Dwayne), Michael Muraca (Morgan), Kyle Muraca (Krystal), Megan Muraca (Garrett), Jennifer Cooper (Mark), Heather Canak (Tapy), Alex Rutherford (Dylan), and Jack Bennett, III (Kaitlyn); 19 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; brother, Jesse Gutierrez (Peggy); numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of other close family and friends.    

Pallbearers are Kenny Chide, Jack Bennett, Jr., Scott Muraca, Jr., Michael Muraca, Kyle Muraca, and Jack Bennett, III. Honorary Pallbearers are Shawn Madden, Dwayne Pope, Mark Cooper, Tapy Canak, Dylan Rutherford, and Orlando Gutierrez.    

Visitation will be held Sunday, October 1, 2023 at St. Patrick Catholic Church from 5:00PM-7:00PM, with a Rosary to be held at 6:30PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, October 2, 2023 at 10:00AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. 

God saw her getting tired, a cure not meant to be, so He put His arms around her and whispered, “Come with Me.”

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