Ernestine "Tina" Gurule

Ernestine “Tina” C. Gurule passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 3, 2024.

Tina was born on January 25, 1931 in Baja California and grew up in Mexicali, Baja California.  She had 14 brothers and sisters. One sister, Lupita Cervantes and two brothers, Victor Cervantes and Ricardo Cervantes still remain.

Tina was full of life from the time she was a small child.  At two years old she wanted to help her mom make beds and always wanted to take care of her brothers and sisters. She was extremely smart and double passed a grade when she was seven. Tina went on to be a Legal Secretary and had a very rewarding career. She was content to take care of her parents and brothers and sisters that remained in the household. Tina met her husband Joe “Tacho” at a bus station in San Diego after visiting her sister Armida. He began writing letters and courting her for a year and a half before they were married. She left her beloved family (that she loved so dearly) and moved to Albuquerque, NM.

Tina quickly embraced her husband’s family and took care of her father-in-law Ramon and brother-in-law Nick. She loved children and could not wait to have her own. She devoted her life to them and would have liked to have had several more children, but couldn’t. Tina decided to become a Foster parent along with her husband and took care of over 50 children throughout her lifetime.  Many of the children she cared for kept in touch over the years. She loved her family and touched so many people’s lives. She was lively, caring, and wise and gave of herself unconditionally. She has left a huge void in all of our lives.

Her passion was gardening and spending time with her family and friends. Her backyard was her sanctuary with many flowers and trees. Tina was also an avid reader and seamstress.  She devoted many hours to the Catholic community at St. Francis Xavier and St. Charles Borromeo.

She is survived by son Ernest R. Gurule (Barbara), daughters: Mary Lou Jones (J.J.), Susan Mondragon; grandchildren in order by age:  Tyler Jones, Santana Quintana, Ciera Jones, Angelica Gurule, Timothy Gurule, Christian Quintana, Angel Gurule, Brandi Gurule, Lori Gurule, Jaylen Mondragon, Donald Gurule, Santiago Mondragon, and four great grandchildren. She is also survived by many loving family and friends.

We wish to thank Silvia Hernandez for loving and caring for Tina for the last six years. We would have been unable to provide the care Tina needed without her. We would also like to thank Ashley and Janelle from Roadrunner Hospice for providing kind and diligent care during the last two years of her life.

Tina's life celebration will begin with a visitation on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at 9:45 a.m. at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church located at 5415 Fortuna Rd NW, 87105. Rosary will be recited at 10:15 a.m. Mass will begin at 11:00 a.m. Ernestine will be laid to rest following the rosary at Mount Calvary Cemetery located at 1900 Edith Blvd NE, 87102.

Pallbearers will be Jerry Griego,Terry Trujillo, Tyler Jones, Christian Quintana, Jaylen Mondragon, and Santi Mondragon.

Honorary pallbearer will be Donald Gurule.