Gloria de la Cruz

Gloria de la Cruz, 72, passed on to her heavenly home October 1, 2017, in Austin, Texas. Born in Mission and raised in Edinburg, Texas, Gloria graduated from Edinburg High School (Class of 1962) and obtained a degree in Speech & Communications from UTPA in 1971. Gloria’s telecommunications career in the Bell system began in Kansas City and spanned 14 years, eventually moving her to Dallas. A career in management consulting in the private sector followed, as Gloria served as a member of the Mayor’s Hispanic Task Force for former Dallas mayor Annette Strauss and as a community advisor to Ross Perot’s presidential campaign. As a leader in the Hispanic and Women’s community of Dallas from the 70’s to the early 90’s, Gloria was a tireless advocate, actively involved in many civic and professional organizations which strived to improve education and career opportunities for women and Latinas. In her later years, Gloria moved to the Texas Hill Country, where she enjoyed living close to her family.

Gloria is preceded in death by her parents, Celedonio and Rafaela (Navarro) de la Cruz and her brother, Dr. Celedonio de la Cruz. She is survived by her brother, Homero (Linda) de la Cruz and children Desidorio Emilio and Fiona Gloria of Austin, Texas; nephew Jacob de la Cruz of Charleston, SC and nephew Micah (Sherri) de la Cruz and children Jessica, Emilia and Eliana of Columbus, Ohio. “Tia Gloria” was especially loved and will be missed by her nieces and nephews, as well as a large extended family including several aunts, many cousins and friends.

Gloria’s life will be celebrated with a graveside service at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, October 7, 2017, at Valley Memorial Gardens in Mission, Texas, with Rev. Francisco Gaytan officiating. Memorial donations may be made to Outreach Ministries of El Buen Pastor Methodist Church in Edinburg, Texas.