Gabriela Petrona Marques

Gabriela Petrona Silva Marqués passed away in her sleep on January 4, 2024 at the age of 88 in Richmond, Texas. She was born in Pinar del Rio, Guanajay, Cuba on March 24,1935 to parents Eusebia Sanchez and Carmelo Silva. She spent her first 24 years of her life in Cuba. She completed her education and fell in love with Jorge Antonio Marqués. They married in November of 1958. During this time Castro’s regime was taking control of Cuba. Jorge and Gabriela decided to legally immigrate to the United States of America in search of freedom and a better life. In 1959 they realized that goal. They worked very hard and were able to help others to realize the American Dream by helping them to legally come to America and helping until they were on their feet with jobs and a place to live. All those they helped became U.S. citizens.

Gabriela had a very strong work ethic. She was one of the first to arrive and one of the last to leave when it came to work. She worked in various professions throughout her lifetime. She was an award winning hairdresser and cosmetologist in Chicago, IL; she worked in the Hospital industry for Bellaire Hospital, the gas & oil industry with Gulf Oil Corp and Chevron and she finished with the Banking Industry at Texas Commerce Bank. Gabriela always strived to make herself better. She was always taking classes in order to learn new skills, from perfecting her English and learning various computer programs and skills to help with her jobs to taking courses that would allow further enjoyment in her hobbies. Gabriela always proved that she could do anything if she just tried! Her work ethic rolled over to how she cared for her home and family. Her home was always immaculate and dinner was always ready. She would get up early to whip the house into shape and to cook or prep dinner before getting herself ready to go to work. Gabriela was always very crafty. From her stunning faux flower arrangements to her ability to change the style and appearance of a piece of furniture, her artistic abilities and critical eye for aesthetic were unmatched. When she retired she found more time to indulge in her hobbies. After she retired she continued to maintain a busy schedule but it revolved more around being a homemaker. Gabriela was never known to be idle. She always kept busy with one project or another.

Gabriela was affectionately know as Mama by family, friends and strangers alike. Everyone loved Mama and she was always warm and welcoming. She was always prepared to sit down and visit over a shot of Cuban coffee! It was times like these when Mama would share some of her amazing stories and her infectious laughter.

Mama’s cooking was a gift to anyone who got to eat it! Mama cooked from the depths of her soul. She never used a recipe and could cook all sorts of dishes. She was known for cooking way more than needed, but that ended up feeding her family as well as people at work. Cooking was one of the many amazing gifts Mama possessed and she always had tasty fabulous food to share.

Above all Gabriela was an elegant lady at all times. She was never one for comfy clothes and tennis shoes. Mama was always dressed to the nines with her hair fixed, makeup on, nails done and always wearing heels. Mama was also a very competitive person. She always strived to do the best that she could, never giving others the opportunity to find fault in anything she did. She was a a beautiful person inside and out!

We would like to thank Lazara Pérez for having such a big heart, for loving and caring for Mama. We would also like to thank Nedelsis Peña for loving Mama and helping her through whatever issue arose. Thank you both for being Christ-like to my mother and our family!! Thank you to Palliative Hospice Care for your role in Mama’s care, especially Esther, Nedelsis, Rita, Rhoda & Francis.

Gabriela’s faith in God, the Father; Jesus Christ, His only Son; and The Holy Spirit, was strong. We know that she has joined Jesus and all the souls that have gone before her. One day we will see Mama again!

Gabriela was preceded in death by Papa, Jorge Antonio Marqués, her husband of 62 years; Her daughter, Lissette Annette Marqués; her parents, Carmelo Silva and Eusebia Sanchez, her step mother Regina Silva. She is survived by her children, daughter, Karen Lucette Marqués and her husband, Jason A.T. Jones; her son, Eric Alexander Marqués and his wife, Sue St. Michael; Ashley Lynn Millay, her grandchildren Claire Elyse Mills, Mitchell Bennett Flaherty, Elyssa Corrine Flaherty, Jakob Jedi Jones, Gabriela Elaine Marqués Jones; great grandson, Jackson Jude Mills; nieces and nephews, Elsa Alessandra de Marqués, Cecilia Pérez, Marita Long, Manny Marqués, Tony Marqués and Carlitos Marqués; Family, Fredesvinda Guijarro, Antonio Marqués, Rene Marqués, Cindy Boutwell, Aledia Brock, Virginia Knox, Shawn Millay, Anabel Sierra-Miranda and Michelle O’Neill DDS; and Forever Friends, Clara E. Sierra, Beverly Bradley and Ana Gonzalez.

A rosary and funeral mass will take place on Friday, January 19, 2024 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Rd. Houston TX 77056 at 10:00 am with interment to follow at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer Rd Houston, TX 77077. There will be a reception immediately after interment.