Susie Gonzalez

Entering the world on December 20, 1930, Susie was a middle child of seven children born to Pedro Villarreal and Consuelo Orozco, a first-generation American to Mexican-born parents and lived her entire life in San Antonio, Texas.

Susie was a graduate of Ursuline Academy High School, run and managed by the nuns of the Ursuline Order of New Orleans. During this time, she met her eventual husband, Arthur Charles Gonzalez. As a mother to A.C. (Melinda), Michael (Jeanine), James (Rose Ena), Elizabeth (Edwin), and Kathryn (Daniel), she excelled in creating a home where not only their children thrived, but also where their friends and classmates felt welcomed as an extension of her own family. Life wasn’t without its challenges; when Arthur was serving in Vietnam, with the kids in High School, Susie held down the fort at home, but when given the opportunity to visit her husband, she fearlessly traveled alone - halfway around the world - to see him in Thailand. Her Platinum Anniversary partner (71 years!), Arthur, was by her side, right through to the end. If only we could all be so lucky to do so well, and long, loved.

While encouraging her children’s education, Susie also completed her own during those Viet Nam years, graduating from Our Lady of the Lake University earning her Bachelor’s Degree and certification in Elementary and Bilingual Education. For 20 years, Susie worked for Edgewood ISD, a school district that is historically and nationally recognized as an underserved community in San Antonio. Susie fostered a love for learning in her students and provided extra support to those who required it. She was nominated by her peers in 1986 to represent her campus when the Governor of Texas selected Edgewood District as one three districts in Texas to represent the Western United States at a Nationals Teacher Forum. Susie’s passion for teaching never faded; if she heard a book was being banned somewhere, she would acquire a copy and have her grandchildren read it. She truly had a teacher’s heart, and after retirement could be found providing after-school homework help to her grandchildren, and later to her great-grandchildren, never skipping a beat even after dementia began to take hold. Susie was not a perfect woman (though, nearly!), nor did she expect perfection from those she cared for, and loved. Instead, she inspired people to do their best and celebrated their individual achievements and abilities. She celebrated and honored her family’s scholastic achievements, with all of her children hanging a copy of their college degrees on a wall, along with their children’s diplomas as well.

Further adorning her walls were paintings of landscapes, seascapes, still-life scenes, and animals as Susie was a talented artist whose paintings grace the homes of family and friends. She was never boastful of her skills – even when warranted – and she was the type of person where one slowly, but surely, discovered the many facets of her life and abilities. An afternoon spent with Susie at the kitchen table with any one of the many photo albums she compiled over the years was sure to entertain as well as provide a glimpse into the life of a person whom you only wanted to know more.

Her home was the place everyone gathered for holidays and events, but also the place the neighborhood kids, her kid’s friends and others came to hang out. This is because the most precious gift she had was the way she made you feel: welcomed, worthy, loved, and valued. Susie was accomplished in the kitchen, and ensuring you were fed was her love language. She, along with her four sisters, carried on the cooking traditions of her mother, each specializing in one of her signature recipes. Susie’s was menudo, a favorite of those lucky enough to taste it, often requested--never duplicated. Additionally, the Villarreal sisters continued, and eventually passed down, the tamale-making traditions of their youth to the generations that followed and continue to this day.

As one with a true servant’s heart, Susie could often be found offering advice, compassion and aid, as well as, her time and energy to those causes and people for which she cared. She regularly volunteered at St Luke’s Church of which she was a long-time member and Meals on Wheels to name a few.

Susie is survived by her husband, five children and partners, 12 grandchildren,14 great-grandchildren and numerous nephews, nieces and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Pedro; her mother, Consuelo; her sisters Lupe Davila, Aurora Herrera, Rachael Ramos, Alice Muller and brothers Sammy and Pedro Villarreal.

While Alzheimer’s may have stolen her memories, Susie made an indelible mark on our own, and in our hearts. Join us in remembering and honoring her:

Funeral Services

Vigil/Rosary

Time: Sunday February 20, 2022 10:00am family viewing; 11:00am public viewing;

Rosary at 12:00pm

Place: Sunset Memorial Park and Funeral Home

1701 Austin Hwy, San Antonio, TX 78218

Mass

Time: Monday February 21, 2022 10:00am

Place: St. Luke’s Catholic Church

4603 Manitou Dr, San Antonio, TX 78228

Mass will be streamed live—go to your Facebook account

and search: “St. Luke’s Catholic Church San Antonio”

Click the “Live” red box

or you may use this link: https://youtube.com/c/StLukeCatholicChurch

Interment

Time: Immediately following services at St Luke’s

Place: Sunset Memorial Park and Funeral Home

1701 Austin Hwy, San Antonio, TX 78218

Memorial Contributions

In lieu of flowers, please make a “Honor/Memorial” donation in memory of “Maria de Jesus Gonzalez”

to the school district Susie taught in for so many years and for the children she so loved

Edgewood Education Foundation

4102 S. New Braunfels, Suite 219

San Antonio, Texas 78223

Edgewood Education Foundation of SA

https://eefsa.charityproud.org/Donate/?cid=10817

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com for the Gonzalez family.