Julia Cantu

Julia Cantu, 81, lovingly referred to as grandma, died peacefully on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, in Houston, Texas, surrounded by family.

Julia was born in Brownsville, Texas, and at some point moved to Houston, where she gave birth to her one and only child, Mary Michelle. The other details of her life before Mary Michelle have an air of mystery to them, along with her official name. Was it Juliana Mae Cantu, Julia Cantu, Julia Moreno Cantu? We may never know, as grandma never gave an official answer. She always did like to keep everyone on their toes.

In her younger years, she was constantly on the move and loved her independence. This is surprising because, as many people know, she never learned to drive. She would go off walking and using public transportation to go out dancing, one of her favorite pastimes. Later in life, her passion became bingo, and she was always headed to the bingo hall. She also loved watching Cantinflas and La India Maria.

As she got older and needed help getting around, she loved to go on car rides to get hamburgers or just go along for the trip (just not at night because grandma said that’s not safe). When going out she loved to see babies at the store but didn’t understand why during the pandemic she could not go up to and hold a stranger’s baby at Target. At home, she enjoyed watching TV, especially Impractical Jokers and Ridiculousness.

Grandma had a sassy sense of humor and was always making people laugh, whether she meant her comments as a joke. Her family will always keep her funny sayings and rhymes close to their heart. If they could tell her something one more time it would be “I love you little, I love you big, I love you like a little pig.” Loved ones know she is in heaven, “still kicking” and they will keep laughing with her up there one day.

She is survived by her daughter, Mary Michelle Gutierrez; son-in-law, Gerardo Gutierrez; four grandchildren: Danielle Cuellar, Daniel Cuellar, Desalyn Gutierrez, and Darren Gutierrez; sister-in-law Lina Vidal; nephew, Gerardo Cantu; niece, Dora Cantu; and many other loving family members and friends. She is preceded in death by her mother, Dora Sanchez and her brother, Johnny Cantu.

Visiting hours for Julia will be on May 1, 2023, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, located at 8706 Almeda Genoa Rd, Houston, TX 77075. Flowers are appreciated and can be sent to the same address.

Funeral Service Information

Monday, May 1, 2023

Visitation
4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Service
6:30 p.m.

Forest Lawn Funeral Home
8706 Almeda Genoa Road
Houston, TX 77075