Luz Ulrickson

Luz Ulrickson was born on May 24, 1926 in Catbalogan, Philippines.  As the eldest of 8 children, she began her lifelong dedication of taking care of others. Luz graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics .  She spent 2 years as a Catholic missionary in Pakistan and worked day and night to financially support 5 of her siblings through college.   During a visit to El Paso she met Robert Ulrickson.  Luz and Bob got married on July 24^th, 1964.

In 1966 she began her legacy at Cathedral High School as the first female to be hired as a teacher in an all-boys Catholic school.  During all those years at Cathedral, Luz always went above and beyond for her “boys”. She held tutoring sessions at home on the weekends and cooked for the students to ensure they could enjoy a hot meal while they were studying.  Her love of Cathedral and its students spanned 5 decades, crossed multiple generations, while influencing and mentoring thousands of young men.  She had a passion for helping students and tutored well into her 90’s.

Luz had a zest for life and was the biggest Englebert Humperdink and Shirley Temple fan around.  She was an avid sports fan.  She loved UTEP Women and Men’s Basketball as well as Miner Football.  She became a huge Green Bay Packer fan in 2017 and also, rooted for the Baltimore Ravens.  Luz supported Cathedral sports and often went out of town for basketball tournaments and football games.  She loved Disneyland and handed down her passion of all things Disney to her daughter and her granddaughters.  Luz would organize annual Disneyland trips and try to squeeze in extra trips when possible.  Her last trip to Disneyland was when she was 95 years young.

Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Jose L. Porras, her beloved student, friend, and doctor. Such gratitude goes out to Dr. Juan Becerra, Amanda RN, Fernanda RN, Veronica CNA, from Elara hospice. Thank you to Norma Jacobo and Jack Herrera for always going above and beyond for her.  All the care she received was thoughtful and made her so happy in her final years.

She is survived by her daughter Nancy Ulrickson-Swopes and son-in-law Michael.  Her 2 granddaughters, Taryn Swopes and Caitlyn Swopes, were her pride and joy. Their G-unit used to love taking them to the px and visiting the Baskin Robbins lady that they all knew so well. She referred to them as her “sweethearts” and was extremely proud of all their accomplishments and their math and science intellect. She is survived by her 2 younger sisters, Sr. Mary Anne and Mely, her extended family the Valtiers and the Jones’.  She gained several extra children and grandchildren with these chosen families. Luz and her husband Bob are finally joyfully reunited.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, you consider a gift to the Luz Ulrickson Scholarship Fund for Cathedral High School.  Please send any donations to the Catholic Foundation, 499 St. Matthews Street, Bldg G. El Paso, TX 79907