Taide Alvarado Gonzalez

On Saturday August 19th 2023, Taide Alvarado Gonzalez went to the Lord after a short painless battle with pancreatic cancer. Taide was born October 19, 1941 in the city of Gomez Palacio, in the state of Durango in Mexico to parents Pedro Alvarado Moncada and Raquel Martinez, née Alvarado. She was the oldest of seven children: Taide, Raquel Yolanda, Ruth Maria, Alma Elia, Pedro, Jose Luis and Flor Elisa. She attended Colegio America Elementary School in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, then attended Excelsior Junior High in Monterrey, Mexico. She later attended Holding Institute High School in Laredo, Texas and was salutatorian of her graduating class, while her sister Raquel was the valedictorian of the same graduating class. She later went on to attend Laredo Junior College in Laredo, Texas graduating with an associates degree. As a young child, she and her sisters Raquel and Ruth Maria would spend their summer vacations in Oklahoma City with their Aunt Herminia Alvarado nee Cruz and also with their Uncle Luis Alvrado of the famed local Mexican Restaurant chain El Charrito. When she and her sisters Ruth and Raquel were older, they began to work at their uncle’s restaurant El Charrito #1 in the Paseo district. Taide would work as a cashier and a hostess. One summer while working at El Charrito in Oklahoma City, she met the love of her life: Julian Jose Gonzalez who was known by the nickname Pepe. They married in Oklahoma City at Little Flower Catholic Church on February 18, 1964. Taide and Pepe raised three children: sons Fernando and Julian Jr. and daughter Virginia. When her children were school age, she studied to become a licensed real estate agent at Clayton Stegall real estate school in Yukon, OK. She dedicated ten years of her life serving the hispanic community to help them find and buy their first homes. Taide then worked several years in the accounting department of the home office of Hertz Rent a Car in Oklahoma City. In 1982 she started working at American Floral Service serving in different roles throughout her nineteen year tenure during which she developed life long friendships. Taide’s favorite joy in life was raising her family and supporting her husband in the home and in the family business. Along with Pepe Gonzalez she was cofounder of Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant in Edmond, OK (opened 1982), Laredo’s Mexican Restaurant (opened 1986) and Casa de los Milagros Mexican Restaurant & Cantina (opened 2009), both in Oklahoma City. All three restaurants would never have come to fruition had it not been for Taide who was the spiritual and moral foundation on which the family business was built. As the saying goes, “behind every great man, there is a great woman” and nothing could be more true in this case. Through the years, customers as well as the employees would fall in love with the beauty of her heart, soul, personality and charisma. Taide also enjoyed being the Oklahoma Sooners #1 fan. She never missed a game for fear that they might lose if she didn't watch them. She was a lifelong devout Catholic. Her faith in God was always what guided her decisions and direction in life. She very much enjoyed being a part of the Holy Angels Catholic Church parish in Oklahoma City. She was a long time member of their choir and always assisted in many of the various functions of the church. She loved to listen, dance and sing to Mexican music, especially mariachi music. Traveling all over the United States and Mexico was also one of her favorite pastimes, especially when it involved visiting family and friends all over both countries. People who knew Taide have always said she was one of the kindest, sweetest and most generous human beings one could ever meet. She had a positive fun loving spirit, always smiling, and lighting up every room she walked into. Many that knew her also admired her deep humility, modesty and empathy. Throughout her life she touched many hearts, with her magical smile, her kindness and helping hand. She will be deeply missed by many that had the pleasure and honor to know her.

Taide is survived by her children Fernando and wife Susan, Julian Jr, Virginia and husband Zack, grandchildren Alicia, Devan, and Vincent, her brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, her dog Maxx, and many many wonderful friends. Visitations will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2023, from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm and Sunday, August 27, 2023, from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm with a Rosary service beginning at 6:00 pm in the Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Chapel, 6600 Broadway Ext. Oklahoma City, OK 73116. Funeral Services will be held Monday, August 28, 2023 at 11:00 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2706 S Shartel Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73109. Arrangements are under the direction of Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors.