Tula P. Gonzalez

Tula P. Gonzalez., 78, of Edinburg, peacefully passed away on January 9, 2022, at Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen.
Tula was born on September 19, 1943, in Mercedes; she was one of three daughters and twos sons born to Eugenio and Maria (Vela) Peralez. Tula spent her early childhood in Weslaco up until the death of her mother. Tula was eventually adopted by the Saca family and spent her teenage years in Edinburg. Tula would go on to live a beautiful life full of love and dedication to her family, community, and faith. Along with her husband, Deacon Irineo Gonzalez Jr., they would raise two children and devote themselves to their family and faith- principally serving the needs of parishioners of St. Joseph Church in Edinburg for over 40 years. Tula graduated high school in 1963 and entered the workforce at the Texas Department of Human Services. Tula would go on to hold various positions of increasing responsibility for the TDHS, eventually rising to the position of caseworker and then trainer of incoming caseworkers. After retirement from TDHS in 1995, Tula began her second career as Director of Religious Education at St. Joseph's Church.
Throughout her life, Tula exercised various ministries for her church and community. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, most recently serving as the Regent for the Court Our Lady of Mount Carmel #1993. Tula was also a member of the St. Joseph's Church Alter Society, Serra International Club, Dusty's Book Club of Edinburg Library, and Edinburg Pan American Round Table, most recently serving as the 2021 Round Table Director. Additionally, Tula exercised joint ministries with Deacon Irineo including marriage preparation and leading the baptismal program for over twenty years - having a hand in baptizing thousands of babies. In addition to her faith, Tula was an avid gardener; she loved curating and caring for her own personal botanical gardens at home and passing on her love for gardening to her two daughters. Through her family, faith, and gardens, Tula's legacy lives on.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 44 years Irineo Gonzalez; parents, Eugenio and Maria Peralez, Gloria G. Saca and Carlos Saca; two brothers, Dr. Carlos R. Saca and Jimmy Saca.
Tula is survived by her two daughters, Dr. Sonia Lamar (Robert) Razzetti of Shirley, Massachusetts, and Monette Margot (Javier) Rodriguez of Edinburg; grandsons, Christopher Javier Rodriguez and Noah Joseph Razzetti; granddaughters, Karolina Lamar Rodriguez and Ella Maria Razzetti; four sisters, Margot (Rolando) Perez of Edinburg, Judith (David) Diaz of McAllen, Emma (Eli) Garza, Martina (Jose) Lugardo; two brothers, Rodolfo Peralez, and Eugenio Peralez; along with additional extended family.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m., with a 6 p.m. rosary today, January 12, 2022, at Memorial Funeral Home, 208 E. Canton in Edinburg. Funeral service will take place at 1 p.m. Thursday, January 13, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Edinburg. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Edinburg.
Rosary will be via zoom with Meeting ID#: 897-1674-3173 Password: 351397 and Church service will be available live stream on St. Joseph Catholic Church Facebook and YouTube.
Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg.