Maria Guadalupe Mendoza Turrin

Maria Guadalupe Mendoza Turrin was born on December 12, 1927 in Seguin, TX and passed away on March 30, 2011 in Houston, TX due to Parkinson's related symptoms. She graduated from Wharton High School in 1947 and went on to receive her Liberal Arts degree with an emphasis in Education from St. Thomas University in 1953. Guadalupe enjoyed traveling and spent time in Cape Cod in her earlier years. In 1961 she met and married Fabio Turrin and had five children. She was a devoted mother and accomplished teacher. She taught at various schools including Rosenberg, Brownsville, and Corpus Christi. In addition, she taught for over 17 years with Houston ISD. She taught elementary age ESL students, as well as English-only students. She enjoyed being around children so much that teaching was a very natural and enjoyable career for her.

Guadalupe thoroughly enjoyed her role as grandmother, as this once again placed her among young, eager to learn children. One of the most memorable characteristics of Lupe's was her enormous, room filling, eye watering, contagious laughter. And she had a large beautiful smile to match. This memory will be cherished as very unique to her. She was an avid reader, loved old classic movies and musicals, and enjoyed spending time with her children at the library, swimming pool, Galveston beach and church. She made sure her children were raised with a strong belief in God and all His grace. She dearly missed her youngest son, Alan, after his sudden and untimely passing.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ysidro and Guadalupe Mendoza and son, Alan W. Turrin. She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Michael J. and Mary Turrin and Peter X. and Marcie Baker Turrin, all of Houston; daughters, Sharon M. Grant of Sachse and Cecilia A. Turrin of Austin; sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Tom Dooley of Houston; brothers and sisters-in-law, Abel and Rosalie Mendoza of Baton Rouge, LA and Dan and Miff Mendoza of Baytown; and grandchildren, Bryan Turrin, KayLee, Fabio, and Wesley Grant, and Noah and Lev Turrin.

Her family will receive friends at Navarre Funeral Home Sunday beginning at 4:00 p.m. with a Rosary to follow at 6:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1907 Carolina St., Baytown, TX 77520 on Monday, April 4, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Dwight Canizares officiating. Burial will follow at Cedarcrest Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers you may make a donation in her memory to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation at the following: https://support.pdf.org/SSL.

Guadalupe will be missed by her children and all family and friends. We take comfort in the knowledge that our mother has lived a good life on earth and will enjoy a blessed life here after in God's loving arms and among her loved ones who have passed before her.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX, 77521 (281) 422-8111.