It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved matriarch, Julia Gurrola (Nana Chula), who left this world peacefully on March 21, 2025, at the age of 95.
Born on July 29, 1929, Julia lived a long and beautiful life filled with faith, strength, and deep love for her family. After being admitted to the hospital with pneumonia, her condition worsened as her kidneys began to fail. Surrounded by love, she received her last rites from the priest and passed away peacefully with her daughter Gloria and me, her granddaughter, by her side.
Julia was the proud mother of eight children, and her legacy lives on through 29 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren. She now rejoins her three daughters in heaven—Julia Esther Corvera, Norma Elena Smith, and Leticia Labrada—and we find comfort in knowing they are together again.
Just a few months ago, in November 2024, we also lost her cherished daughter and our beloved tía, Norma Elena Corvera Smith. The two of them shared an unbreakable bond in life—and now they are reunited in heaven.
As we grieve, we are preparing a Celebration of Life to honor both of them in the most beautiful way possible. Our family is large, and loved ones are traveling from near and far to be together. We’re organizing a heartfelt gathering that reflects the love, legacy, and deep impact they had on all of us.
With that comes some significant expenses—venue rental, food, flowers, and funeral services. The total cost is approximately $12,000, and while we’ve been able to cover nearly half of the expenses through generous donations from family members, we still need help raising the final $6,000.
If you are able to donate, we are beyond grateful. No amount is too small—it all helps us come together to honor these two amazing women who meant so much to so many.
Whether you contribute financially, share this campaign, or simply hold our family in your thoughts and prayers, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
With love,
Carolina Arreola & Family
