Gloria Estella Aguirre

Gloria Estella Aguirre (née Moncivais) was born to Jesse and Elodia Moncivais on November 10, 1952 in Bryan, Texas.  She grew up on Ravine Avenue as one of six children - Olga, Mary, Gloria, Jesse, Roland and Gus. 

 Gloria graduated from Bryan High School in 1972 and went on to obtain her cosmetology license and graduate from Brazos Business College. She met her husband Emmett Aguirre at a wedding in Rockdale and they were married seven months later at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Bryan on September 23, 1972. Together they have five children - Michael (Natalie) Ruiz, Leticia (Kevin) Hill, Denise (Jaime) Hernandez, Monica (Nathan) Jones and Amber (Robert) Pierce.  

While she had a diverse professional career, her most coveted role was taking care of her family.     Over the years, she worked at a hair salon, managed the Soda Fountain at Hoyt’s Drug Store, worked as an administrator at Lone Star Gas and served as a caretaker. She had been a member of St. Mary’s Church for 51 years and was part of the Alter Society.  

Gloria was adamant about things always looking their best. Whether it was her hair and nails, the inside of her home, or her front yard, which was always well manicured and adorned with lots of in season plants and flowers. She would always make an effort to attend any event she was invited to because she loved to celebrate the milestones of the people she cared about, and also because she loved to dance. Her sense of humor was one of a kind. She was someone who could say just about anything about anyone and get away with it because that was just who she was.  

Gloria’s primary focus was her family.  She adored her five children, twelve grandchildren and great grandson.  She lived her life everyday ensuring they had what they needed and was always there to lend her listening ear, talk them through a family recipe (she did not measure when she cooked) or be their buddy to take shopping. Her affection and generosity were not solely reserved for her family. Anyone that knew Gloria was considered a friend and that meant she treated you like family.  She especially held a soft spot for those in need and there are countless stories of times when she had cooked for the hungry, comforted the troubled and gave to those with less.  

There are not enough words in the dictionary, nor enough space on this page to fully capture the life and spirit of Gloria Aguirre. The impression she left on those that were lucky to have known her will remain every time a funny story or precious memory is shared about her. The values and strength Gloria instilled in her children and grandchildren will live on as each of them move through life, leaving her true mark on the world.  

Gloria is preceded in death by her parents Jesse and Elodia, sister Mary (Johnny) Ramirez, and brothers Roland and Jesse.  She is survived by her husband Emmett, sister Olga (Henry) Romero, brother Gus (Nina) Moncivais, son Michael (Natalie) Ruiz, daughters Leticia (Kevin) Hill, Denise (Jaime) Hernandez, Monica (Nathan) Jones, Amber (Robert) Pierce, grandchildren Lauren, Lindsey, Megan, Micah, Natalie, Mason, Camden, Maya, Easton, Jayda, Braylen, Kennedy and great grandson Kane.  

A note from the Aguirre family regarding Monica Jones:  

Monica was diagnosed with Leukemia in April 2023. On December 20th, she was admitted into the Intensive Care Unit at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas, and is still there today battling complications from her stem cell transplant. The family asks that you please keep Monica Michelle Jones, her husband Nathan, and her daughter Natalie in your prayers.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please consider a donation to the following causes:  

St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital  

https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=wtg-mm-btn-donate-now 

Since overcoming her battle with breast cancer, Gloria was passionate about giving to St. Jude’s Children’s hospital. Her heart broke for the children who were enduring what she had endured, and this was her way of helping to make a difference.   

Be the Match  

https://bethematch.org/support-the-cause/donate-financially/ways-to-give/ 

After being diagnosed with Leukemia, Monica benefitted from the research and resources provided by the Be the Match foundation.