Gloria G. Estrada

"Glamour is like the moon; it only shines because the sun is there." C. Joy Bell C.

As gracefully as she entered a room, Gloria G. Estrada exited this life on Monday May 26, 2014, in San Antonio, Texas.

Born on October 18, 1928, she was raised by her beloved mother, Amanda Gomez (affectionately known as Mama Mandy), in San Antonio where she graduated from Ursuline Academy before attending college at Our Lady of the Lake University. The fourth of five siblings, Gloria was as well known for her classic beauty as she was for her quick smile and effortless elegance.

She met the love of her life, Ramiro P. Estrada, M.D. and began a courtship that revealed the blueprint for a happy, devoted life to each other. Their early dates together often consisted of her accompanying him and waiting in the car as he made house-calls to his many patients. As was the custom in those days, the visits frequently ended in Ramiro exiting the houses with baskets of baked goods and other unconventional forms of payment. Completely smitten by his intelligence, good looks, love of life, and the ability to keep her entertained with his comical story-telling, Gloria fell head over heels in love.

They married on February 19, 1955 at Sacred Heart Church in San Antonio, and lived a full and active social life, attending all of the important social events of the era. Their favorite times, however, were spent traveling or frequenting restaurants, dinner parties and intimate gatherings with a wide circle of close, loving friends, most of whom have already passed on to their eternal rewards. Those who survive her continued their close friendships until age and illness made it impossible to carry on.

Deeply devoted to her five children, Gloria was active in the Parent - Teacher Council (PTC) and as a volunteer; both as a "Room Mother" and running the medical clinic at St. Paul's Catholic School, where she "cured" more than a few stomach aches with a smile, a hug, whispered soothing words and a well placed Band-Aid. As her children moved on through high school and university, Gloria expanded her volunteer efforts to Antonian College Preparatory High School, Ursuline Academy, and Mount Sacred Heart Grade School. She also generously donated her time, treasures and talents to the Bexar County Medical Society Auxiliary.

Gloria is predeceased by her adored husband Ramiro P. Estrada, M.D., her mother Amanda Gomez, and siblings Olga Lozano, Albert Gomez, Rudy Gomez, and Bobby Gomez.

She is survived by her five children: Ramiro R. Estrada, Diana Estrada Davila (Michael), Victor Estrada, M.D. (Debbie), Cristina Estrada Machado (Michael), and Paul Estrada (Maureen), as well as sixteen grandchildren: Richard Anthony Guerra (Rebecca), Michael Edward Davila, Andrew James Estrada, M.D., Paul Michael Estrada, M.D., Christopher Adam Estrada, Timothy Victor Estrada, Victoria Ann Estrada, William Jacob Estrada, Amanda Cristina Machado, Alexandra Rose Machado, Michael M. Machado II, Anissa Allison Estrada, Alexander Ramiro Estrada, Aaron Robert Estrada, Andrew Paul Estrada, and Alyssa Allison Estrada. The Estrada family would like to acknowledge and thank Dolores "Lola' Smith for all her years of service and friendship.

ROSARY

SUNDAY

JUNE 1, 2014

7:00 P.M.

BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH

600 OBLATE DR

MASS OF RESURRECTION

MONDAY

JUNE 2, 2014

10:00 A.M.

BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH

Father David Garcia and Father John O'Donoghue as concelebrants. Interment to follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, Texas 78209. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to: The Ramiro P. Estrada Achievement Center, 1112 S. Zarzamora St., San Antonio Texas 78207.