Gilda M. Gatica was called home to join her Lord and Savior on June 14, 2024. She passed peacefully, surrounded by her loving immediate family, at her home in Sagemont.

She was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, on September 28, 1957, to Francis and Alberto Martinez, the youngest of their four children. She graduated from Ray High School in the summer of 1976. The following year, she married the love of her life and husband of 48 years, Jesus Jose Gatica. That same year, they both relocated to Houston, Texas, where they began their journey as a young couple and started their family.

In the winter of 1983, they welcomed their first child, Jacobo, and a short while later, their daughter, Emily. Gilda was a loving and doting mother. Her husband and children were her pride and joy. As a mother, she instilled in her children the importance of having faith in God and valuing the love of family.

Gilda had a strong devotion to her siblings and was happiest when spending time with her brother Joe and her sisters Gloria and Gracie. "The Three G's," they were lovingly known as. She was just as much a devoted "Tia Gilda" or "second mom" to all her nieces and nephews as she was to her own son and daughter. She always looked forward to making memories with her family when everyone could get together at gatherings like the Annual Easter Getaway, a quick casino trip to Lake Charles, or being a part of weddings and quinceaneras. Being in the presence of her family always brought Gilda so much joy.

In October 2017, she became the ultimate "Granny" when her daughter Emily and her husband Sam welcomed her grandson Raiden into the world. She was Raiden's most loving grandmother and enjoyed spoiling him and calling him her baby.

She was a born nurturer. In the early 1990s, she began operating her own home daycare program. She excelled at caring for the children of others with the same patience and affection that she gave to her own family. Later that same decade, she began her career in administration with the Pasadena Independent School District, finding her lasting career home at Dobie High School, where she served as the administrative assistant to the school's staff of principals.

Gilda will be remembered as the ultimate "shop until you drop" buddy. She was passionate about doing arts and crafts, always creating gifts and relics for those she loved. During the years her children attended Dobie High School, she became known as the Homecoming "Mum Queen" and created mums for all the teens. She had a passion for music of all varieties and loved to dance to anything that she could swing her hips to. Suavemente by Elvis Crespo was her go-to party anthem. She also loved a strong margarita and a good Happy Hour with her "Dobie Comadres," Connie Hobbs, and Leslie Rustin.

Gilda is survived by her husband and loyal caretaker, Jesus J. Gatica, her Son Jacobo J. Gatica (Maricella), her daughter Emily N. Cervantes (Sam), her grandson Raiden S. Cervantes, her brother and sister-in-law Joe and Ninfa Martinez, her sister and brother-in-law David and Gloria Sandoval, her father-in-law Jose Gatica, and countless nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Alberto and Francis Martinez; her sister and brother-in-law, Joe and Graciela Ramos; her great-nephew, Noah E. Gurrero; and her brother-in-law, Ernesto Gatica, mother-in-law Maria Gatica.

The Gatica family would like to thank Gilda's caregiver, Lucky Faye Espinosa, for her loyalty and devotion toward caring for Gilda.

Gilda Gatica will be remembered by all, for her beautiful spirit, faith in her Lord, and her unfaltering devotion to her family. Heaven has gained the most beautiful of angels, and she will watch over us all.