Carmen Gonzalez

Carmen Gonzalez, age 86 died January 26, 2019, in Phoenix, AZ.  She was born November 30, 1932, in Cuquio, Mexico to Jesus Perez Torres and Maria Rodriguez Molina, the oldest of five children.  A faithful and virtuous woman, Carmen depended on the Lord, prayer and her faith in her daily life.  She worked as a seamstress and enjoyed sewing, but her heart and devotion was for her family.  She raised 8 children and taught them to work hard for the best that life could bring you.  Always loving and sweet, she was feisty and direct in her guidance of her children. Whether it was learning good manners, working to stay healthy, or simply standing up straight,  they could count on her to direct them in the proper way.  She gave her heart to her children, and as her family grew, to their spouses, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Carmen was beautiful inside and out.  Though her life was challenging, she lived a dignified life, ever so classy with her sunglasses on!  She was a master gardener.   She could grow any plant from just a small start, even planting bits of sod that she had transported from California until they grew into a beautiful lawn.  She especially loved roses and carnations, and they graced her garden.  Her gardening skills were only matched by her cooking skills.  She was an adventurous cook and loved to try dishes from various countries.  She had the talent of taking any dish that she tried and perfecting it.

Humble and loving, Carmen often left this blessing with her family when they left.  “El Señor te bendiga y te guarde, Te muestre su rostro y tenga piedad de ti, Te dirija su mirada y te dé la paz, El Señor te bendiga.”

Carmen is survived by her daughters, Irma Alcorcha, Rosalie Baldonado, Carmina Arevalo; sons, Armando Gonzalez, Ralph Gonzalez, David Gonzalez, Sam Gonzalez, Jr.; and Danny Gonzalez; sister Velia Castillo; brother, Ezequel Mendoza-Rodriguez; 20 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.  She was  preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Gonzalez; and her parents Jesus Perez Torres and Maria Rodriguez Molina.

A memorial mass will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, February 4, 2019 at St. John Vianney, 539 La Pasada Blvd. , Goodyear AZ 85338.