Maria G Hernandez Gutierrez

Traditionally we focus on her achievements. Moving to the USA from Mexico at age 14, Maria (Mine) immediately entered high school speaking only Spanish. Long before special programs to help students, several teachers saw her determination and helped her. By the time she graduated in May of 1976, she had just turned 17, making her the youngest member of her class.

Starting at an entry level position with Texas Instruments, she was promoted to executive assistant to an engineering director. Moving to Dallas, she next completed her BA in Psychology at the University of Texas at Dallas at the age of 33. Continuing her rise up the corporate ladder, she started as the most junior project manager at Ericsson and was promoted several times while achieving excellent results and bonuses. She next began her career as an entrepreneur opening a mortgage brokerage in Round Rock to work with her brother and sisters in the real estate industry. Finally, she chose to start a new business in an area that she loved, women’s dresses and accessories. Maru’s Boutique was a successful specialty business serving prom, Sweet 16 / Quinciniera and wedding.

We should also look at the personal qualities that remind us what a special person Maria was: determination to succeed. Stubborn to maintain one’s convictions. Impatience to make today a better day rather than waiting for tomorrow. Service to her community. Self sacrifice to make sure all around her would be taken care of, especially her younger siblings, who looked to her for guidance and nurture. Intelligence to ask the right questions and make good decisions. Wisdom to know the difference between right and wrong and always take the right path. Leadership by example to not just tell us what to do but show us the right way. She passed on a strong work ethic to her children, siblings, nieces, nephews and friends. Love for all of God’s beautiful creations, especially flowers and plants. Faith in her God, savior Jesus Christ and always looking to the Virgin of Guadalupe for inspiration and guidance.

Maria loved to travel. There were the great places like Venice, Paris and Sydney, but she also greatly enjoyed train travel and cross country driving. Travel is like life. It is not just the destination, but the journey itself that makes it so special.

In the last years of her life, Maria was tested to the limits of human experience. After successfully overcoming breast cancer, she faced her final challenge ALS. Throughout the ordeal, she maintained a grace and dignity few of us could ever hope to achieve.

Maria showed us that family came first, above and beyond everything else. She took care of all of us. That’s the way she lived her life, all the way until she took her last breath.

We will forever miss Mine: wife, mother, loving sister, devoted aunt and great friend. The world is a much better place because you were here to share it with us.

A visitation for Maria will be held Wednesday, August 13, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville, with a rosary prayer service to follow at 7:00 PM. The Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, August 14, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Saint William Catholic Church, 620 Round Rock West Dr, Round Rock. Following the Funeral Mass, Maria will be laid to rest at Cook Walden/Memorial Hill Cemetery, 13700 N Interstate Hwy 35, Pflugerville.