Norma Linda Martinez Gallegos

Norma Linda Martinez Gallegos, 70, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend entered into the glory of her eternal life on Wednesday, October 29, 2014, at Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville surrounded by her loving family.

Norma was born in Brownsville, Texas to Tomasa and Raul Martinez in June of 1944. She attended Brownsville High School and graduated in 1963. In 1968, Norma married Ruben Gallegos. Living most of her life in Brownsville, Norma touched the lives of hundreds of children as an elementary teacher, reading specialist, and facilitator over a span of 27 years. She retired in 2000, to help care for her beloved grandson during the day.

Norma loved family gatherings and hosted as many as she could up until the very end of her life. Norma especially looked forward to her familys annual weeklong vacation to South Padre Island for the Fourth of July. Anyone who knew Norma knew that she had three passions in life: her family particularly her two grandsons, frequent trips to Las Vegas and the music of Elvis Presley. She was a proud member of St. Marys Catholic Church.

Norma had boundless energy and was a fighter until the end. She had an indomitable spirit and her zest for life was an inspiration to everyone who knew her. All those fortunate to have been a part of her life will never forget her many sayings most popular of which was Cara de papa Her way of calling someone silly.

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that dayand not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Norma is preceded in death by her parents, Tomasa and Raul Martinez and her mother and fatherinlaw, Maria Venos and Alfonso Gallegos.

Left behind to eternally treasure their memories of her is her devoted husband of 46 years, Dr. Ruben Gallegos two adoring children: Ruben Gallegos Jr. and his wife Lisa and Dr. Norma Linda GallegosFlores and her husband Art two grandsons that were her pride and joy, Ruben Gallegos III and Raul Alfonso Gallegos two sisters: Yolanda Lupe Garza and Sylvia Rolando Gomez and brother, Raul Jeannie Martinez Jr.

Norma will also be dearly missed by her sistersbrothersinlaw: Dr. Manuel and Raquel Gomez, Eddie and Elida Martinez, Lupe and Odilia Gonzalez, Saul and Irma Villarreal, Juan and Rosie Gonzalez, David and Janie Majors, Luis and Diana Liendo, and Jesse and Delma Gallegos along with numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and other extended family members as well as a host of friends.

Visitation will be held today, Friday, October 31, 2014, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the East Chapel at DarlingMouser Funeral Home. Visitation will resume at 5:00 p.m. at St. Marys Catholic Church, 1914 Barnard Rd. with the recitation of the holy rosary scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Friday evening at St. Marys. The Funeral Mass is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, 2014, at St. Marys. Interment will follow at Buena Vista Burial Park.

Art Flores, Raul Martinez Jr., Rolando Gomez Jr., Leo Garza, Jesse Gallegos, and Raul Gomez are honored to be serving as Normas pallbearers. Ruben Gallegos Jr., Ruben Gallegos III, Raul Alfonso Gallegos, Ronnie Cavazos, and Tomas Leal and P. A. Beto Leal will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Normas family expresses their sincere gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Reddy, Dr. Sivam, Dr. Karkoutly, the nurses and staff in the ICU at VRMC, the doctors and staff at the Heart Institute, the Staff at Fresenius Dialysis Center, the Brownsville High School Class of 63, her Bunco, Chalupa, and Poker friends, the faculty and staff at Gallegos Elem., and everyone who has prayed for her throughout her illness and fight.

Visitation

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Friday, October 31, 2014
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Service

Visitation

St. Mary Mother of the Church
1914 Barnard Road
Brownsville, TX  78520
Friday, October 31, 2014
5:00 p.m.to 9:00 p.m.

Rosary

St. Mary Mother of the Church
1914 Barnard Road
Brownsville, TX  78520
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
7:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass

St. Mary Mother of the Church
1914 Barnard Road
Brownsville, TX  78520
Saturday, November 1, 2014
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Buena Vista Burial Park
5 McDavitt Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78521