Gloria E. Gonzales

Gloria was born in Houston to Antonio V. Sepúlveda and Amparo Medellín on January 24, 1940. She married Mike Gonzales on June 7, 1964, in Houston at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and they recently celebrated 59 years of marriage. Together they raised two daughters.

Gloria is survived by her husband, her daughters Dr. Anna Magda Gonzales and Mrs. Elyse Amparo Gonzales, and her son-in-law Mr. Emilio Abarca. She was preceded in death by her sister Ninfa Anita Sepúlveda and her infant daughter Anna Lisa.

Gloria—an incurable social butterfly—delighted in hosting events big and small. She loved having company over, often encouraging people to stop by any time. These unexpected drop-ins or planned parties resulted in her sending Mike to pick up food. Depending on the crowd and time of day, her menus could include Honey Baked ham, BBQ, Shipley’s Donuts (freshly baked) and/or a cake from Moeller’s Bakery. These social events were notable for Gloria and Mike’s lively senses of humor as well the range of topics addressed. Whether serious or playful these discussions frequently lasted long into the night. Her infectious laugh, unrelenting positivity and generous spirit meant guests felt welcomed, at ease, and eager to return.

As much as Gloria enjoyed socializing, she was serious about learning. This was a lifelong pursuit she fostered through her voracious reading of newspapers, history books, and memoirs (romances, too!) and was aided by the couple’s frequent travels to 48 states and parts of Canada, Mexico, and Europe. After graduating from Milby High School in 1958, she pursued formal education at the University of Houston. For ten years, Gloria attended classes at night while working during the day and in 1973, she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. Afterwards, she taught for one year in HISD and then worked as a part-time legal secretary, enabling her to care for the couple’s two young children. At the age of 46, she enrolled at UH to obtain a Master of Education and additional certification as a bilingual second grade teacher.

Her return to the classroom, first at Cage and then at Carrillo Elementary, represented a pivotal moment in her life. She taught for 17 years and was deeply fulfilled working with predominantly lower income Latino children, always encouraging them to dream big and then pursue it. In 1994 she was voted teacher of the year at Carrillo. To her students she was a living example of the power of education and perseverance, especially since she grew up in the same neighborhood as many of them. As a teacher she immediately formed a loyal posse of smart, hilarious peers and colleagues who challenged and championed her and became lifelong friends.

Gloria is perhaps best known, however, for her deep love and pride in her family. She was raised in Houston’s East side neighborhood of Magnolia by loving, supportive parents. Though she grew up with a sister, Anita was much younger and so Gloria spent most of her youth playing with loads of cousins, part of her large extended family from both the Medellín and Sepúlveda branches. Many became surrogate siblings, always ready to have fun or help her in any way.

Mike, the love of her life, was her best friend and true partner throughout their marriage, serving as her caregiver till her death. Her sister Anita, also a celebrated teacher, and daughters, Anna and Elyse additionally brought Gloria a great deal of pleasure because of their professional and personal accomplishments, all of which were made possible by Gloria’s unwavering support and confidence in their abilities. Her family recalls her tender, kind heart and her desire to chit chat with literally everyone, her constant humming, her belief in good manners, her twisting colloquialisms (“they are making money hand over foot”) or names of restaurants (“Tony and Vic’s”), her amazing ability to laugh at herself, and her constant expressions of love for them.

Underlying all these incredible characteristics and accomplishments was an individual who suffered from grave illnesses throughout her life. Her physical afflictions, however, never affected her optimistic spirit, faith in God, people, or even herself, including her desire to experience all that life has to offer. These ailments no doubt helped to create this amazing, special person, because Gloria grew up knowing life is precious and so we better enjoy the ride and spread kindness and love all along the way.

We welcome the opportunity to celebrate this loving, courageous, smart, generous, funny, wife, sister, mother, friend, cousin, and teacher and hope you will join us in saying goodbye to her. A viewing will take place on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, from 5pm to 9pm at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home (6900 Lawndale, Houston, TX), including a Rosary at 7pm. On Thursday, June 29, 2023, Mass will be celebrated at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church (7539 Avenue K, Houston, TX) at 10am, followed by burial at 11am at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home and Cemetery. A reception will follow immediately after at Gloria and Mike’s home.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ForestParkLawndaleFH.com for the Gonzales family.