Pauline Garza Gutierrez, age 96, of Victoria, Texas, passed away peacefully on February 18, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was born June 19, 1928, in Dacosta, Texas to Lorenzo Gonzalez Sr. and Josefina Pizana Gonzalez. Pauline led a life marked by faith, love, hard work, and generosity, and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Pauline was a proud graduate of Calhoun High School in 1945, where she played trumpet in the school band. She enjoyed a successful career at Dunlaps Department Store before retiring. Pauline was a deeply devoted wife and mother who always put her family first. She was known for her tireless work ethic, often mowing her one-acre yard with a push mower well into her eighties. Pauline's cooking was legendary. She had a special gift in the kitchen, effortlessly whipping up full- course meals in no time. Her homemade tamales, chicken and noodles, peanut brittle, vanilla coconut cake, and famous pecan cookies brought joy to everyone who shared a meal with her.
Pauline was preceded in death by parents, Lorenzo and Josefina Gonzalez; husband and father of her children, John Garza Jr.; husband Guadalupe Gutierrez; son, John Albert Garza; grandsons, Raymond Chavez Jr. and John Anthony Chavez; great-granddaughter, Analyssa Cortinas; brother, Lawrence Gonzalez; and sisters, Minnie Gonzalez, Ollie Buentello, Dora Gonzalez, and Lena Rendon.
She is survived by daughters Arlene Martinez (Cruz), Darlene Aguilar (Richard), Rose Mary Zarate (Abe), and Opal Reyes; sons Marion Garza (Dora) and Noe Garza (Gloria); daughter-in-law Ruth Ann Vrana; nephew Dale Gonzalez; sisters Esther Lara, Martha Scotch, Mary Moreno, Ruth Rose; and brother Lorenzo Gonzalez Jr. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Pauline's legacy lives on through her 13 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and 25 great-great-grandchildren, all of whom she loved deeply.
Pallbearers are Noe Garza, John David Garza, Raymond Chavez III, Michelle Longoria, David Zarate, Alex Gutierrez III, Stephanie Hernandez, and Erin Garza.
Honorary pallbearers are Marion Garza, Abraham Zarate Jr., Richard Aguilar, Dale Gonzalez, James Harris, Kenneth Garza, Leticia Gamez, Judy Gutierrez, Valerie Carlson, Abraham Zarate III, Marisa Cortinas, Pauline Ramos, Yvette Goodwin, and Elissa Clark.
Pauline's family and friends will always cherish her memory. Her legacy of compassion, strength, and kindness will continue to inspire all who knew her. She will be remembered as a woman who was always ready to lend a hand, share a kind word, and open her heart to those in need.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Maria Velasco, Riverside Oaks, Detar Hospital ICU, and Hospice of South Texas for their exceptional care and support.
Visitation for family and friends will be Monday, February 24, 2025 from 5-7PM at Rosewood Funeral Chapel.
Funeral Services will be Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 10 AM at Faith Family Church with burial to immediately follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of South Texas.
Words of comfort may be shared at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.
