Eva Linda Berrueto-Gough

Eva Linda Berrueto-Gough (2002-2024)

Eva graduated as a US Navy Sailor, from the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, in Great
Lakes, IL, in May 2022; and the following August as a Seabee from the Naval
Construction Training Center Gulfport, in Gulfport, MS. At the time of her death she was
an E-3 Seabee assigned to the 1st Naval Construction Regiment, in Port Hueneme,
California.
Eva was born in Houston, Texas on December 16, 2002, to Guicela Cordero and Jose de
Jesus Berrueto. She was the third of four children and from her childhood was timid,
soft spoken, but always carried a sweet smile. Despite her quiet personality, she was
funny, sarcastic, and easily made friends. She attended YES Prep East End Secondary
where she graduated from Middle School in 2017, and from High School in 2021. She
played soccer one year in Middle School and throughout her four years in High School.
Originally interested in the Army, she opted to enlist as a reservist in the US Navy in
October 2021, and started her Basic Training in January 2022. During her basic training,
she scored second best in shooting. And during her training as a Seabee, she was first
in woodworking, a skill she gained working in her family’s wood shop. She was also
familiar with remodeling and often worked with her family on different projects. Her
construction background and ability to use power tools made her a perfect Seabee.
While training in Gulfport, MS, she was made keeper of the tool room and was very
proud of her first assignment in the Armed Forces. After completing her training in
Gulfport, Eva reported for drills at Ellington Field in Houston. Soon after she decided to
move to California to continue her career in the military. At the time of her death, Eva
had been married for nine months and was thirty-three weeks pregnant with her baby
girl Xilena. She looked forward to being a mother, and joyfully shared updates of her
pregnancy. Although not too fond of them, she was very proud and happy when she
received her Navy maternity uniforms.
Eva enjoyed a special bond with her siblings and cousins and often gave them rides to
buy junk food after she learned how to drive, many times sneaking out of the house just
to spend time with them. She never said no to them even when she didn’t feel like being
their accomplice. She was very honest about expressing her feelings, and sometimes
too blunt that often made people laugh as they thought she was joking. During her High
School years, she participated in Young Women camp with her congregation and was
often followed by younger girls who wanted to be around her. She would fix their hair
even if she was tired. Eva enjoyed interacting with people, camping, outdoors, fishing,
shooting sports, eating, soccer, among other things. Her charming smile was one of her
most tender attributes and was very genuine about the people she loved.
On March 16, 2024, Eva lost her life and her baby’s in a tragic event that shattered her
family. She is survived by her parents, Jose de Berrueto in Houston, and Guicela Cordero
in California; her siblings, Sarah Bella, Roberto, Mateo, and Angel; her grandparents
whom she had a close relationship with; aunts and uncles that loved her; and a number
of cousins who saw her more like a sister rather than a cousin. She also leaves behind a
special nephew, little Marco, who loved her almost like a mom since he was a baby.
Eva’s beautiful personality and smile will always live with us.
A visitation for Eva and her baby Xilena, will take place from 7-9pm on Wednesday, April
17, 2024, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on 3000 Broadway St.,
Houston, TX 77017. A Funeral Service will take place at the same location on Thursday,
April 18, 2024, from 10-11:30am. A Committal Service will follow at the Houston
National Cemetery at 1:15pm. Little baby Xilena will be buried in the same casket with
her beautiful mother.