Maria Rosaura

Gutierrez

Dateline: Harlingen, TX

Maria Rosaura "Chachi" Gutierrez, 97, passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, April 25, 2015. Rosaura was born in Harlingen on January 19, 1918 to Eugenio and Sabas Gutierrez, a Harlingen pioneer family.
Rosaura graduated from Harlingen High School in 1938 and soon after worked for the Eagle Loan Company. Rosaura was accepted into the U.S. Cadet Nursing Program. She attended Saint Mary's University in Leavenworth, Kansas. Upon completion of the nursing program, Rosaura wanted to expand her nursing experience and become a nurse with the World Health Organization. Her father, Eugenio, however, did not allow it until she had successfully completed one year of nursing in Harlingen. Being a respectful young woman, she returned to Harlingen and spent a year at Valley Baptist Hospital in 1952.
When the year was over, she went to work for the World Health Organization (WHO) serving as a nursing consultant; developing nursing school curriculum for the various university nursing schools in Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean Islands of Haiti and Jamaica. While working for the WHO she returned to school receiving a Bachelor's Degree from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Her passion for understanding global health issues was furthered by the WHO which sponsored her in obtaining a Master's Degree in Public Health from Boston College in Boston, Massachusetts. Rosaura travelled the world serving humanity in third world countries and teaching nursing until she retired in 1981 and returned to Harlingen, TX.
Rosaura served as inspiration for many with accomplishments that at the time, were unheard of by a Hispanic woman. She was a pioneer and way ahead of her time. She was beloved by her family and friends. And, at family gatherings, everyone looked forward to hearing and learning about her experiences which ranged from her time as a young Hispanic nurse at Valley Baptist, to surviving earthquakes in Guatemala, and even to serving a "partially cooked turkey" for Thanksgiving dinner for the friends in Guatemala as she was teaching them about American customs. She will be truly missed and never forgotten.
Rosaura was relentless in her desire for learning and upon retirement she continued much the same and became an active volunteer in the Community.
She had a love of art and collected art from her many travels. She, herself, was an active painter and she quickly became active with the Harlingen Art Forum and set up her private Art Studio in her family's original home site.
She was an active member of the Pan American Round Table where she often shared her experiences of living in the Central and South American Countries. She often shared the customs, traditions and folk art among the members. She was a volunteer with the Sandi Jo Funk Hospice Program.
She was an active board member of the Cameron County Historical Commission and was the founder of the Young Art History Competition which encouraged young students to learn about the local history through art. The Art History Competition gained popularity and was recognized by the State Historical Commission.
As a proud member of the Secundino and Guadalupe Loya Gutierrez family, she devoted time to maintaining the family genealogical history. She was the keeper of the records of over 2000 family members. In a room in her studio that was dedicated to family history, she worked tirelessly coordinating with other family members in the upkeep of the family tree. She was recognized as the Gutierrez Family Historian.
She had a strong Catholic upbringing and continued with her strong personal Catholic convictions. She was forever faithful to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, the "mother church" for the Harlingen area as she often referred to it. The Church was the pillar of the Gutierrez family. The family dedicated much of their time in the establishment of the church and school by volunteering and fundraising. She was always proud to say that the Gutierrez Family donated much of the land on where Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church sits today.
She is survived by her beloved sister, Mary "Mere" Gutierrez and brothers, Eugenio (Emma) Gutierrez, Secundino Gutierrez, and numerous nephews and nieces. Rosaura was preceded in death by her parents, Eugenio and Sabas Gutierrez, her brother, George Gutierrez, and sisters, Olga Cabaza and Savitas Marin and her loving sisters in law Graciela Vasquez Gutierrez and Carmen Martinez Gutierrez and her brothers in law, Jose "Pepe" Cabaza and Augusto Marin and her nephew, 1st Lieutenant George Gutierrez, Jr.
Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm with recitation of the holy rosary at 7:00 pm on Tuesday April 28, 2015 at the Trinity Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at 10:00 am at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Harlingen, Texas. Followed by interment at Mont Meta Cemetery in San Benito, Texas.
Pall Bearers will be Tommy Gutierrez, Christian Gutierrez, Louis Cabaza, Jacob Olivarez, Gene Marin, and Robert Marin. Honorary Pall Bearers will be Benny Olivarez, Michael Marin, Josh Nutson, George Cabaza, Robert Perez, and Marcel Garza.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to her caregivers Marisa Leon, Marta Alicia Garcia, and Helen Leal. Also to Dr. Robert Minor for attending to her medical needs.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Trinity at Harrison Funeral Home 1002 E. Harrison Ave. Harlingen, TX 78550 (956)364-2444.