Vera Dorothea Gutierrez

Vera Dorothea Gutierrez passed away peacefully on the evening of September 5th, 2025 surrounded by loved ones. In her 69 years, she lived a life filled with family, dear friends, and was dedicated to a beautiful and impactful career in special education. She leaves behind her brothers, Oscar and Rick Moreno, her loving sisters in law (Betty and Sonia C.), six devoted nieces and nephews, and three great nieces and nephews.

Vera was born May 14, 1956 in Laredo Texas to her beloved mother Thelma Moreno and her father Oscar Gutierrez. A graduate of Nixon High School in 1974, she went on to attend Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos. There she excelled in mathematics and majored in finance. When she returned to Laredo, she began her first job as an accountant for the city. It was after this that she realized her true calling, and began her career in special education. After many years of fierce love and dedication for her students, she retired in January of 2018.

A woman of many talents and a zest for life, Vera was full of surprises. She never shied from trying something new, going so far as to take up fencing in her college years. She loved a mental exercise and thrived at puzzles, strategy games, and poker. She and her best friend Bobby Garza took this skill with them to Las Vegas on several occasions.

Her deep love of music manifested itself in her guitar playing and her blasting Cher during drives around town in her red Durango. She loved the Cowboys, coffee, and her special needs students, and like most things in life, she did so wholeheartedly.

Her family will never forget Christmases hosted at she and Grammy’s house, with the typical 20 foot Christmas tree surrounded by gifts and chocolate.

We know she is in a better place now, laughing with Grammy, perhaps driving to Stars to grab a soda and a hamburger. We all wait to see her on the other side.

The family will be receiving condolences on Sunday evening, September 14, 2025, from 5pm to 9pm at Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services, 719 Loring at Cortez.; where a Vigil for the Deceased and Rosary will commence at 7 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday morning, September 15, 2025, mass times are currently pending for more information please contact our office at 956.722.0001.

Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at the family plot of the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Jason Bunn, Jarrad Yaunt Moreno, Justin Eloy Moreno, Ricky Alexander, Robert Garza, David Hinojosa, Oscar Moreno, and Rick Moreno.

The family would like to extend their most heartfelt gratitude to: her caretaker, Lupita Moreno; Priscilla Lopez, Marcos Castillo, and Maria Castillo; and her life long friends, Robert Garza, Gogi Gutierrez, and Rosa Moreno.

You may express your condolences, share your favorite memories, and sign the guestbook online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 719 Loring at Cortez, Laredo, Texas 78040; (956)722-0001.