Doña Isabel was born in San Cristóbal Totonicapán, in 1931, and passed away in Guatemala City on September 6, 2020. She was the proud mother of 5 children, grandmother of 19, and great-grandmother of 13.
She lived to the age of 5 in Totonicapán. Then her family moved to Quetzaltenango, where she lived until she married, at age 19.
“I always imagined that I would be a mother, as was expected of all women in my time. And when I became a mother, I was very happy. I raised my children with a lot of affection and love. I scolded them and taught them to do the right thing."
One of the biggest challenges she had to face in her life was losing her husband in a plane crash, when her children were still young. Her oldest son was 21 and the youngest was 7. She had to raise her 5 children on her own. At first, she did not know how she would manage, she faced problems, challenges, and a lot of work. But despite everything, it was a time that united them a lot as a family.
During her life, she always said that she felt very proud to see that all her children are good, hard-working people, with well-structured lives, who supported her in all her projects and who learned from her how to provide social service.
Doña Isabel's best advice for a new mother is: “Dedicate 100% of your time to your children. This is not equivalent to be clingy, but the time you spend together should be dedicated to each other”..
Isabel's heart
Isabel had a sweet and kind character, which captivated those who met her from the first moment. She was a simple, kind and loving woman, always ready to offer a smile and a word of encouragement. She always found the time to see those who looked for her and to help those who needed her. But that sweet and peaceful part of her was complemented by a restless, firm and determined character, typical of a woman forged in the face of adversity and who knew, with absolute clarity, what she wanted and what she should do.
She had infinite energy - difficult to keep up with - that drove her every day to help more and more people. It seems as if an internal fire dictated urgently: “One more Isabel, help one more person; time is running out and you can help one more ...”..
For her, nothing was enough when it came to favoring those who needed it most. She lived her life deep in intense work dedicated to the causes that she supported.
Doña Isa was, above all, a great and real lady. She was always watching over her family; she was a great friend to her children, nephews and grandchildren. Her moral solidity and her human virtues make her a benchmark and an example for all who knew her.
Isabel Gutierrez’ Achievements
- First female President of a Rotary Club
- President of the Juan Bautista Gutiérrez Foundation
- She received the Orden del Quetzal top Goverenment recognition for extraordinary merit
- In 2020, Forbes recognized her as one of the 100 Most Powerful Women of the Year