Estelita Sanchez Gutierrez
September 3, 1929 - November 3, 2025
With deep sadness, the family of Estelita Sanchez Gutierrez announces that she passed away to Our Lord Jesus Christ on November 3, 2025. "Lita" a.k.a. "Nanay" "Lola" and "Grandma" was born on September 3, 1929, in the town of San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. (In Tagalog, Nanay means mother and Lola means grandmother).
Lita lived a life of sacrifice, courage, generosity, love, and faith. At age 12 during WWII in the Philippines, she saw the Japanese army invade and control her country. In her teens, instead of college studies, she stayed home to take care of her sick mother. Soon after, at his first sight of the beautiful Lita as May Queen in a town parade in honor of St. Mary, Nicasio "Nick" Gutierrez fell head-over-heels in love with her. Successfully courting her, their marriage would bear fruit: nine children, fifteen grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Just before Martial Law was declared, Lita and her nine children (5 to 21 yrs old) travelled to a new life in the United States, where she built a warm, loving home for the Gutierrez Family. As devout practicing Catholics, she and Nick instilled in their children a strong faith in God. She was an anchor in the family and supported Nick's medical career. From Massachusetts to Oklahoma, Lita created homes that became hubs of service to her community, whether weekend mahjong parties, walk-in stays with no time limit, a check or cash to help someone in need, or tasty home-cooked meals.
Although she did not earn college degrees, Lita was intelligent and an astute businesswoman. Her entrepreneurial skills led to real estate property investments and a private jewelry business. She also was a practitioner of a healing that required no medical license. In the warmth of her home and while strangers, friends, sons, daughters, and her grandchildren ate her soulful cooking, Lita dispensed millions of milligrams of listening, wisdom, and tough love. Throughout, there were many belly-laughs. Near the end, despite her health failing, Lita did not surrender her role of chef-de-cuisine for her family until last year. To her dear children, grandchildren, and friends, the aroma of her signature sinigang always welcomed them home.
Her absence is a pain deeply felt by her family and many others who loved her. She is predeceased by her husband, Dr. Nicasio Gutierrez, Sr. She is forever remembered by her children: 1. Erlinda Gutierrez Montaniel of Allen, TX (Katerina, Joel (spouse Annalise, Lilliana), Larissa (spouse Matt)); 2. Dr. Nemy Gutierrez of Norman, OK (Marivic (spouse), Ana Carmina); 3. Dr. Nick Gutierrez, Jr. of Norman, OK (Marian (spouse), Brian (spouse Keisha, Felix, Wyley), Alex); 4. Jesse Gutierrez of Norman, OK; 5. Rick Gutierrez of Bentonville, AR (Julia (partner), Adam, Ella, Gemma); 6. Gerry Gutierrez of Philadelphia, PA (Sebastian, Mireya); 7. Jenner Gutierrez of Cleveland, OH; 8. Alberto Gutierrez of Denver, CO (Margaret (spouse), Elena, Benji); and 9. Lynette Gutierrez Fenn of Cambridge, MA (Lee (spouse), Maximo, Nico).
The Visitation will be held on Friday, November 21, 2025, 4-8 pm at Primrose Funeral Home, 1109 N. Porter Ave., Norman, Oklahoma, 73071. The Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 N Porter Ave, Norman, OK 73071, on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 9:30 am. The Gutierrez Family appreciates your support during this difficult time. In this time of need, we ask that you help others through Meals on Wheels Norman, OK: Contact MealsOnWheels www.mealsonwheelsnorman.com and share your memories of Estelita on our memorial website: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/norman-ok/estelita-gutierrez-12592278
Published on November 17, 2025
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Send Flowers: When Is the Ordering Deadline?
Next-Day Delivery
ANY DAY OF THE WEEK
Order any time up till the day before
Same-Day Delivery
MON-FRI Order by 2:00PM
SAT & SUN Order by noon
Morning Delivery
TUES-SAT
Order by 3:00PM
The day before
SAT & SUN Order by Saturday
Note: These are general guidelines; some florists may not be able to operate within these timelines. During peak periods such as Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day and most holidays, florists are not always able to keep up to demand. Tribute will contact you if there are any issues.
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