Health
Melissa Gutierrez, 45
Died February 2, 2021.
J. Frank Dobie High School, Houston, TX
Family Consumer Science
Students at J. Frank Dobie High School are mourning the loss of their beloved teacher, 45-year-old Melissa Gutierrez. But her students say she was more than just a teacher.
“She loved everybody. Everybody that was around her felt love for her. A love beyond what a teacher should normally do,” said Noah Torres, a senior at J. Frank Dobie High School.
Mrs. Gutierrez taught family consumer science at Dobie High school for 11 years. She actually graduated from Dobie in 1993. And she loved being a part of the school.
“That was her passion to be an educator, that was her calling. Even outside of school she was still trying to teach,” said Joanna Gutierrez, Mrs. Gutierrez’s daughter.
But on Dec. 29, 2020, she tested positive for COVID-19. Her daughters said they were shocked, because she was always very careful.
“My mom was the last person that we thought would have ever got it, because she was so prepared and cautious,” Joanna Gutierrez said. “Not any time she (wouldn’t) have worn her mask.”
Her family said Mrs. Gutierrez had no underlying health conditions. They say she was intubated a week ago, but her lungs were just having a hard time. She died Tuesday.
“I was just in shock. There are no words to say. She was just a light in our life. Hard to imagine a person like that just gone,” said Kristen Barba, a Dobie High School senior.
Even though her classroom is now empty, Mrs. Gutierrez leaves hearts full of love and memories and one last lesson for all of her kids.
“She would have wanted for everyone to be prepared, wear your mask, take it seriously and take care of each other,” Joanna Gutierrez said.
Cynthia Ritz, 47
Died January 18, 2021.
Gus Garcia University School, San Antonio, TX
Nutrition and Wellness
Cynthia Ann Ritz passed away on Monday, January 18, 2021 at the age of 47. Born October 2, 1973 in San Antonio, Texas, she is preceded in death by her aunt, Lupe Solis; and her grandfather, John F. Lujan.
Cynthia was an educator by heart who pursued a variety of majors, completing her Associates, Bachelors and even her Master’s degree in leadership. She received awards in robotics, wellness and nutrition and was personally invited to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). She taught 6th, 7th and 8th grade science and computer coding for 17 years at Wrenn Middle School. Her dedication did not go unnoticed, she won teacher of the year in 2019-2020 at Wrenn Middle School. The school year of 2020-2021 brought her new endeavors to teach Child Wellness and Nutrition at Gus Garcia University. She served 18 years with Edgewood ISD which showed her dedication to education. Cynthia did everything she could to make sure her students were successful.
She was a loving mother, wife, sister, daughter, niece, and aunt who went above and beyond to support her family’s needs, wants, and cares. She had so many close friends who she treated as family. Her love for everyone is indescribable. Words could never measure up to the type of person Cindy was nor the amount of love Cindy gave. She will always be loved and forever missed.
Cynthia is survived by her beloved husband, Gilbert R. Lopez; her children, Samuel and Xavier Morales; her parents, Hermelinda and Roland Acevedo; her siblings, Elizabeth Serna (Robert Jr.) and John Ritz (Nicole); her grandmother, Amelia Lujan, Grandparents Louis and Carolyn Villegas, uncle David Villegas,uncle David Herron, her mother-in-law, Mary R. Solis; her brother-in-laws, George Lopez, Edward Hernandez and Roger Santos; her sister-in-laws, Maria Solis, Diana Hernandez and Tina Santos; and her nephews, Daniel Ybarra, David Ybarra (Daisy), Robert Serna (Lindsay), Tommy Rey Serna, and nieces Rozalyn and Madeleine Ritz, extended family and friends.
Due to restrictions on public gatherings, the Visitation at Funeraria del Angel Trevino – 226 Cupples Road 78237 – will be limited to 50 people in the building at a time. Coverings are required to be worn. Please practice social distancing at all times.
The family will be receiving friends on Thursday, January 28 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 PM. On Friday, January 29, a Procession will depart at 9:15 AM and arrive at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church – 1918 Palo Alto Road 78211 – for Mass at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow at Mission Park Funeral Chapels South Cemetery – 1700 SE Military Dr, San Antonio, TX 78214.
Gregory Hausske, 49
Died January 22, 2021.
Wilson Middle School, Yakima, WA
Health, Physical Education, Coach
Gregory (Greg) Harley Hausske, 49, was born in Yakima, WA to Doug and Jan (Cockrum) Hausske on July 20th, 1971, and passed away due to complications from COVID-19 on January 22nd, 2021 in Portland, Oregon.
If you asked ten people about Greg, their first reaction would be his smile, but if you asked them something about him, they would all tell you something different. Greg had so many interests and facets to his personality that he was liked by everyone.
Greg was a middle schooler trapped in an adult’s body. He always had a joke to make, a smile to give and an ear to listen. He loved his students, and they loved him. Whether it was Halloween, or a school dance he was DJing, people knew that he loved to dress up for any occasion. Greg was an incredible seamster and would often sew costumes for his family.
Greg graduated from Selah High School and then went to work for Western RV. He also drove a backhoe digging trenches and burying gas tanks at service stations before he realized there was more that he wanted to do with his life. Greg returned to school and graduated with honors from Central Washington University in Health and Physical Education. Right out of college he became a Health and PE teacher at Wilson Middle School in Yakima, where he spent nearly 20 years. While at Wilson, Greg made some lifetime connections with students, coworkers, and parents. He was a fantastic athlete and coached every sport you can imagine. He spent 5 years coaching with his dad, Doug, which meant the world to both of them.
In his spare time, he loved camping and skiing, and spending time with his family. Greg has loved to ski ever since he was little. Starting out with cross country and quickly moving on to the faster sport of downhill skiing. He passed his love of skiing on to his wife Rosie and to his kids. Now he will spend his time learning to ski the slopes in Heaven. We will miss him here, but God must have needed a great people person with a quirky sense of humor. Greg sure enjoyed life and packed it full for the short time that he was here.
Faith was also a big part of Greg’s life. Greg devoted his life to spread the word of Jesus and to make an impact to every life he touched. He led many youth ministries through YoungLife and Foursquare Church. He hosted YoungLife at Wilson Middle School, served as a counselor at summer camp in Oregon, and traveled across the world to Africa.
Greg was a light to so many, and his kindness, confidence, strength, and amazing sense of humor will live on. Greg always told his kids to “Follow that dream, but to always remember what anchored you,” and this is exactly how he chose to live his life. He left the legacy of #LiveLikeHausske.
He was a kind and loving partner to his spouse Rosario, as well as an amazing father to their daughters, Kaylee, Bethany, and Madison, son, Julian, and his dog Luna. He would do anything for and with them. It didn’t matter how crazy it was. He took them on fun filled camping trips, skiing, and to Disneyland… and he always chased them around with a birthday cake filled with sparklers on their birthday.
Aside from being survived by his wife and children, Greg also leaves behind his parents, Doug and Sherilyn Hausske, Jan and Brent Young, and siblings, Ann and Rich Weeks, Shannon Munzanreder, Shawn and Amy Pollock, best friends Troy Reierson and Matt Meyer, along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
The family will hold a virtual Celebration of Life on February 6th at 11:00 am PST. It will be live streamed via Facebook Live: https://fb.me/e/4375zG19a or, go to Facebook and search (under “Events”… “Celebration of Life: Gregory Harley Hausske.”