Gilda De La Garza

GILDA BARRON DE LA GARZA EDINBURG — Gilda De La Garza, 82, died Thursday, October 9, 2014, at her daughter’s home in Willis, Texas where she had entered into hospice care. Born July 18, 1932, Gilda was a lifelong resident of Edinburg and on June 1, 1951 married the love of her life, Robert De La Garza. Their marriage lasted 62 years, during which time they raised their three children, traveled throughout the world, dined with presidents at White House dinners and enjoyed countless backyard barbeques with family and friends. Gilda graduated from Edinburg High School in 1950 where she became a proud member of the Red and Blue Sergeanettes. In 1972 she earned a Bachelor’s degree, and in 1975, a Master’s degree in Education from Pan American University (now the University of Texas-Pan American.) She also earned a superintendent certification from the University. She was a licensed cosmetologist and helped her sister operate Maruca’s Beauty Salon in Edinburg for many years. She was also a co-owner of Lo-Del’s Children Shop in Edinburg. Gilda began her teaching career in 1972 as an elementary school teacher with the Edcouch-Elsa Independent School District. She continued teaching elementary education with the Edinburg Independent School District until accepting a position as Director of Curriculum with the school district. She later became Assistant Superintendent of Schools in the Hidalgo Independent School District. Even after retirement, Gilda continued work in the education field, maintaining a position as the Student Teacher Certification Specialist with the University of Texas-Pan American’s Education Department. In addition to her career in education, Gilda proudly served on numerous boards and commissions in her community. She served as member and president of the American Legion Post 408 Auxiliary and as member and president of the Edinburg Regional Medical Center Auxiliary Board. She served on the Hidalgo County Historical Commission Board of Trustees, the University of Texas-Pan American Alumni Association board and was also a member of the Sembradores de Amistad. Throughout her many years of service, she sat on various education boards and professional education sororities, as well as coordinator of the ECISD Project Graduation for several years. She was involved in countless activities with her children and grandchildren, including sports, scouting and after school activities. Gilda and Robert were well-known for throwing fabulous holiday parties, dinners for their children and grandchildren, family reunions and backyard barbeques. Their annual 4th of July celebrations were legendary. Gilda loved traveling around the world with her best girlfriends and husband, doting on her grandchildren and taking trips to the ranch (the Smoking G). She was an avid Edinburg Bobcat football fan and loved the Dallas Cowboys. She was a retired teacher, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt to many nieces and nephews. She loved spending time at her condo on the beach, shopping, cooking, and casinos, her favorite being in Las Vegas; although, she never found a casino during her many around the world trips that she didn’t love. She will be greatly missed. Gilda is survived by her three children, Eddie De La Garza of Edinburg, Ruby (Lawrence) Krautkremer of Willis, Texas, and Rene (Sylvia) De La Garza of Edinburg; 15 grandchildren, Daniel De La Garza, Andrew De La Garza, Erik De La Garza, Gabriel De La Garza, Kendyl (Coleman) De La Garza-Hale, Quentin De La Garza, Anise De La Garza, John Struthers, Kristen (Clinton) Williams, Joshua Krautkremer, Gennine (Tobias) Karrsten, Matthew (Elizabeth) Krautkremer, Gloria (Robert) Rankin, Robert De La Garza, and Lamar (Hugo) Garza; five great-grandchildren, Alexandra Karrsten, Michael Rankin, Mason Rankin, Malisa Rankin, and Emma Lee Garza; her older sister, Maruca Barron Lopez (Jimmy+); her brother, Eli (Eva) Barron; her sisters-in-law, Delia Barron (Salvador+) and Emelina Barron; her brother-in-law, Kika (Lucille) De La Garza and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Robert De La Garza; her parents, Ricardo Barron and Loreto Barron; her brothers, Carlos Barron, Salvador Barron, Leopolo Barron, David Barron and Ricardo Barron; and her sisters Elena Trinidad B. Reynaud and Guadalupe B. Nunez. Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. rosary today, October 13, 2014, at Memorial Funeral Home, 208 E. Canton in Edinburg. Funeral mass will take place at 2 p.m. Tuesday, October 14, 2014, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Edinburg. Fr. Roy Snipes OMI of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Mission, Texas will officiate. Interment will follow at Valley Memorial Gardens in McAllen. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, John Struthers, Daniel De La Garza, Andrew De La Garza, Erik De La Garza, Gabriel De La Garza, Quentin De La Garza, Robert De La Garza and Matthew Krautkremer. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Alejo Salinas, Richard Flores, Clarence Callis, Eli Barron, Kika De La Garza, Larry Krautkremer and Pete Sanchez. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests that donations be sent to the Rio Grande Valley Down Syndrome Association, 2124 Katherine Ave. Edinburg, TX 78539. They can be reached at (956) 314-0821 or by email info@rgvdsa.org