Dr. Lucila “Luci†Margarita Petrie, 91, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Spanish Meadows nursing home.
Luci was born on October 22, 1931, in Brownsville, TX to Jesus and Margarita Gonzales. She is preceded in death by her sister Naomi Calapa. Luci is survived by her brother, Alfred Gonzales (Ann), three nieces, and many lifelong friends.
Luci was passionate about education and was a role model for others to pursue higher education opportunities. She devoted her early career to teaching in public education, and later, after receiving a Master of Education degree in Counseling & Guidance from Pan American University in 1985, she spent the remaining 26 years of her professional career as a Counselor for the Brownsville Independent School District (BISD).
In 2001, Luci earned a Doctor of Education degree in Administration and Supervision from The University of Houston, and upon her retirement from BISD in 2002, she went into private practice as a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in the Brownsville, Port Isabel, San Benito and Harlingen areas.
Luci will be remembered for her love and devotion in helping families and for touching the lives of many during her time in public and private service.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 from 1PM – 8PM with the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6PM at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory in Brownsville. There will be a chapel service held at 12PM on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. Interment to follow at Buena Vista Burial Park. Services are under the guidance of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, Crematory & Flower Shop. 657 Springmart Blvd., Brownsville, Texas. (956) 350-8485
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
A special thanks goes out to Norma Zamora and Socorro Houghtaling, for their treasured friendship with Luci. As Luci always said they were “her angels in her life.â€