Gloria Madelyn Bautista (Huera)

On June 1st, Gloria was reunited with her love, Richard, at the gates of heaven.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our beautiful Mother, Grandma, Great-Grandma, Great-Great-Grandma, Mima, Aunt, Sister-in-law and Friend. Our Mom, touched more people’s hearts than she ever knew and will be greatly missed. We are grateful for the foundation, support, and unconditional love she gave us. She’ll be remembered for her devotion to her family, friends, and faith in God and Our Blessed Mother, which was endless, and demonstrated every day of her life.

Gloria is preceded in death by her husband, Richard, parents, Jesus and Martha Espinosa Herrera and sister, Esther Calderon. She was born in Long Beach and proudly raised in San Pedro. For 69 years, Richard and his “Huera”, lovingly raised their six children, Madelyn Luera (Freddie), Raquel Bautista, Elaine Bautista, Irene Samudio (Richard), Richard Bautista (Rochelle), Stephen Bautista (Mary). She was the best Grandma to 14 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. She loved our babies with all her heart!

Mom was patient, dedicated, and generous with her love. She was respected for her strength and admired for her words of wisdom. Our parents kept us close and were so proud of our love for each other. We loved mom’s family dinners, birthday and holiday celebrations, especially on Christmas Eve, when our home was filled with family and friends, for a delicious homemade tamale dinner. She enjoyed multi-family weekends at their Big Bear cabin or Bullhead place, for relaxing in the river with her grandchildren. She would make her children and grandchildren ceramic treasures. Mom was the family historian, taking pictures and filling photo books with beautiful memories. My Mom always sewed for us throughout our school days and looked forward to crocheting with her friends for many years. Going to Sunday mass together and attending Monday Novenas at church were important to her. Together, our parents would watch their sons and grandchildren play sports, making them #1 fans. She also loved to garden and clean her house with the music of Vicente, Ella or Edie.

Our Mom enjoyed working for LAUSD and loved the students she served. She was grateful to the ILWU for the blessings of the union. It is comforting to know that she is now with our father, whom she deeply missed. We’re proud and we’re grateful that God gave you 90 beautiful years!