Cynthia Rene Gatica, age 50, was called into the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, on Saturday, September 15, 2018, at Spohn Hospital in Corpus Christi. She displayed amazing strength in her battle with kidney cancer. Her strength and smiles brought joy to all who visited. She was a very devout Catholic who loved and served Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Cynthia was born on May 7th, 1968 in Corpus Christi, Texas to Mauricio and Liliana Leal. She attended Windsor Park Elementary School, Baker Junior High School and Mary Carroll High School. She was head cheerleader her senior year in high school. She graduated with a Bachelor of Business in Accounting from Texas A&M University in College Station in 1990.
She married Gabriel Gatica on February 15, 1997. They had two beautiful children together, Gabriel Antonio “Tony” Gatica and Marina Michelle Gatica. Cynthia was also Mother to her two step daughters, Gabrielle Elizabeth Gatica and Danielle Renee Gatica. She was an amazing Mother and Wife. The true joy in her life was her family. She was the most happiest having her family together, going to church, having sit down meals, and spending quality time together. Her pride and joy were her children Gabbi, Danielle, Tony and Marina. She was full of life and loved to laugh. She had the most beautiful, fun, and boisterous laugh that just filled the room.
She enjoyed taking the family to the theatre and participated in a play. She was funny and a natural actress. She won the “Outstanding Actress” award for her role in the Harbor Playhouse melodrama, Moonlight in the Madness, in 2007.
One of her passions was teaching children catechism. She was a trained and experienced teacher of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She taught CCD at St. Patrick’s and St. John the Baptist Catholic Churches for several years. She was a Core Team member of the Life Teen youth group at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church for many years. She served as an Extraordinary Minister at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
She is preceded in death by her father Mauricio R. Leal. She is survived by her husband, Gabriel Gatica, her son Gabriel A. “Tony” Gatica, her daughter Marina Gatica, her stepdaughters Gabrielle Gatica and Danielle Gatica; her mother Liliana Leal; her sister Sandi(Charlie)Pardue of Houston; and many aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces and cousins.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at Memory Gardens Funeral Home with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 pm that same evening.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Friday, September 21, 2018 at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church in Corpus Christi, Texas. Interment to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.
The family would like to express thanks to all the wonderful family and friends for all the love, support and especially the prayers.
