Mrs. Elsa L. (Lapuz) Gutierrez, of Taunton, died Sunday, September 30 in Morton Hospital following a period of failing health. She was the beloved wife of the late Dr. Jose S. Gutierrez, who predeceased her on September 26. She was born 85 years ago in the Phillippines, the daughter of the late Gervacio and Consolacion (Briones) Lapuz. She was educated in the Phillippines, where she received her Bachelors Degree from the University of the Phillippines. After relocating to the United States, Mrs. Gutierrez received her Masters Degree in Sociology from North Carolina State University. Prior to her retirement, she worked with her late husband as a researcher in the Statistics Center of the University of the Phillippines. Elsa previously taught Sociology at the University of the Phillippines. She was a communicant of the Holy Family Parish in East Taunton.
She leaves: 1 son: Joel L. Gutierrez of Taunton; 2 daughters: Purissima "Irma" Gutierrez and Catherine Gutierrez and her husband, Brian Hall both of Taunton; 2 sisters: Lita Maralit and Corazon Dianzon both of the Phillippines; 1 granddaughter: Danielle Harrison and her husband, Grant of Taunton; 2 great grandchildren: McLean Harrison and Harper Harrison, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held from The Riendeau-Mulvey Funeral Home, 467 Bay Street on Monday, October 1 at 9:00 A.M. A Mass of Christian Burial followed for both Dr. and Mrs. Gutierrez in the Holy Family Church at 10:00 A.M. A double interment followed in Mayflower Hill Cemetery. Visiting Hours were held on Sunday, from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. Expressions of sympathy in her memory may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, Ma., 01701, or to the American Diabetes Association, 40 Speen St., Framingham, Ma., 01701