Gloria Cruz
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On Wednesday, February 16, 2022, Gloria Cruz devoted wife and loving mother of four, passed
away surrounded by her children.
Gloria, also lovingly known as Yoyi, was born September 23, 1943 in Cucuta, Colombia to
Manuel and Marina Buenahora. During her childhood, as the daughter of a Colombian
diplomat, she experienced living in many different countries including Spain, Argentina and
Canada. She loved embracing all the different cultures in these countries which later inspired
her love for travel.
Gloria met Nestor Cruz in Cucuta and within a year they married on December 1, 1962. Shortly
after, they moved to Philadelphia so Nestor could continue his medical training. She was very
dedicated to helping him during his career, from teaching him English to assisting him in the
operating room when he performed the first open heart surgery in Colombia. She held many
various jobs from being a translator, Nestor's office manager, and even being a hand model for
Liquid Paper.
Nestor, Gloria and their family lived in Colombia for 9 years and then returned to the United
States where they made their home in Clear Lake. She volunteered much of her time in the
community through various projects like helping start the Bay Area Assistance League,
contributing to their cookbooks, working in the resale shop, and working in the Methodist
Hospital gift shop.
Her family was the most important thing in her life. She loved her children, grandchildren and
family with all her heart and no one could ever question her love for them. She was the most
generous woman we knew, always thinking of others. Her true legacy was this ability to love
which can be seen through the way each of her children love her grandchildren.
Gloria is preceded in death by her husband Nestor Cruz, parents Manuel and Marina
Buenahora, and brother Manuel. She leaves behind her sister Sylvia Correa; four children
Nestor and wife Teresa, Ricardo and wife Rania, Adriana Tilley and husband Jeff and Catalina
Johnson and husband Rit. Grandchildren Craig and wife Lauren, Christina and Catherine Tilley,
Gabriela and Alexis Cruz, Sebastian and Ariana Cruz and Rit and Caylee Johnson plus a host of
loving extended family members and dear friends.
A funeral mass will be held at Mary Queen Catholic Church in Friendswood on Monday,
February 21, 2022 at 12 noon. Mass will be preceded by a praying of the rosary at 11:30 am.
Attendants are invited to a gathering following the burial at 1:30 pm at Forest Park East Funeral
Home.