Lorie Ann González

Dr. Lorie Ann González passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, February 28, 2021. She was born on July 10, 1974, to Antonio Jr and Olga González in Weslaco, TX. She is preceded in death by her father and is survived by her mother, her sister, Joanna González, her brother, Antonio González III, her nephew, Antonio González IV, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She attended Weslaco schools and graduated from Weslaco High School in 1992. Lorie’s extraordinary brilliance attracted the attention of some of the finest academic institutions such as Rice, Yale, Harvard, and MIT. Lorie followed her heart and accepted the admission offer from the University of Notre Dame as it met her standards for both top-notch academics and athletics. Hispanic women making up a mere 2% in the fields of Science and Engineering did not deter Lorie from moving forward in pursuing her aspirations. Lorie earned a chemical engineering degree from the University of Notre Dame and continued her studies at Texas A&M where she earned both a second Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s degree in Biology. Lorie’s passion for the sciences motivated her to continue her studies at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Ft. Worth where she earned her Doctorate in Biomedical Science. At her graduation, she was recognized as the top graduate of her class sustaining a 4.0 GPA, and was honored with the President’s Award for Scholarly Excellence. Upon receiving her doctorate, Lorie was offered positions at the prestigious National Institute of Health in Maryland and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. As a proud Texan and an avid, loyal fan of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Dallas Cowboys, Lorie opted to join the UT Health system in Houston. Her decision allowed her to pair her love of academics and sports while still remaining near her family. Lorie’s dedication, hard work, and perseverance, ultimately, led her to become part of a minute and elite group of Hispanic females earning degrees and working in the fields of Engineering and Science. Lorie’s stellar accomplishments, inadvertently, helped pave the way for future generations of Hispanic females in these fields.

As great as Lorie’s passion and enthusiasm were for the world of academia, it never superseded her dedication and loyalty to those she loved. She was a unique and rare soul whose genuine compassion moved her to express love and kindness to animals and people alike. Lorie loved fiercely and wholly as a devoted daughter, a loving granddaughter and niece, a supportive sister, a caring cousin, a dedicated friend, a loyal confidant, and a doting aunt. There did not exist a river too wide or a mountain too high that Lorie would not have tackled for the love of her family and friends. Everything she did stemmed from love. Despite her academic and professional accomplishments, her humility allowed others to easily connect with her. Individuals from all walks of life were drawn to her. She had a unique way of putting people at ease and making them feel valued. She touched the lives of so many and inspired others to strive and be the best versions of themselves. To those of us lucky enough to have known her, Lorie was a leader and a role model who we all aspired to emulate.

Every now and again, we are fortunate enough to cross paths with a beautiful soul. A magnificent individual who illuminates our surroundings with joy, laughter, happiness, and hope. Their mere presence makes the world better. We witnessed one of God’s greatest creations and we thank Him for having blessed us with a pure and kind-hearted individual such as Lorie. Like a shooting star, she entered our lives…brilliant and spectacular and, though fleeting, leaves an everlasting impression on so many. Her legacy and spirit will live on in all whose lives she touched. Lorie lived her life to the fullest. Always true to herself, never forgetting her roots, and unapologetic for who He created her to be.

Lorie, a light as bright and spectacular as yours could never be fully extinguished. We see you shining from Heaven, but, nevertheless, we miss you dearly. We love you beyond what our words can express. Your absence has brought about one of our deepest sorrows and greatest of voids; however, our Faith reassures us that Love reigns eternal and that, one day, we will again be together. We carry you in our hearts and draw strength from beautiful memories shared. We will continue to allow your love to guide us until God calls us home where we will rejoice as we are reunited in the House of Our Lord.

Visitation will be Monday, March 8th, 12-9 pm, with a rosary and celebration of life at 6 pm at McCaleb Funeral Home. Mass will be Tuesday, March 9th, at 1 pm, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Weslaco.