Leonor M Gonzales' Obituary
Sadly, our beloved mother the matriarch of our family, Leonor M Gonzales passed away peacefully on June 10, 2024 at the age of 94, after a brief illness, surrounded by her loved ones. Born in Bigfoot Texas to Antonia Lopez and Leonardo Cortinas. Mom moved to California with her family in 1959, was a housewife up until 1968.
She received her AA degree from Merritt College in Oakland Ca and went on to pursue her career with the State of California with the Employment Development Department as a job recruiter, retired at age 63 after serving 20 years of government service. She purchased her house in 1972 as a single mom in Hayward Ca, a dream come true for her. She was very active the Spanish speaking community with the Spanish Speaking Center in Oakland Ca, volunteering her services with the community's functions.
She was an active church member for over 65 years, will be remembered for orchestrating Christmas plays. Mom loved her hobbies, she dressed toy dolls and made beautiful dresses for them, made them look like princesses, she loved cooking, eating out at restaurants, she lived a very active lifestyle, feisty and very independent strong minded woman, always opening her home for anyone in need of shelter, lending a helping hand to anyone in need.
She loved life, leaving behind a great legacy, we are so blessed to have had her in our lives, she will be dearly missed. She is preceded in death by her late husband Jesse T Gonzales and grandson Mo Sanchez. She is survived by her children Sylvia Gonzales, Daniel Gonzales (Estela), and Norma Jean Sarinana. Grand Children: Jesse Sanchez, Yesenia Sanchez, Isaac Sarinana, Irinea Baca, David Sarinana and Blanca Gonzales. Great Grandchildren: Leighanna Sanchez, Elijah Sanchez, Ziloh Baca, Keziah Baca, Besheliah Baca, Doomiel Baca, John Cabrera, Alana Sarinana, Jasmine Baca, Isaiah Sarinana, Sofia Sarinana, David Sarinana Jr., Kya Jean DePina and Camila Lozano.
In lieu of flowers mom had always expressed her desire to donate to a worthy cause, so please honor her request and make your donations in memory of her late grandson Mo Sanchez to the Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, 5775 Post Rd,#1912, East Greenwich, RI 02818 or donate online at https://Salgi.org.donate.
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