Josephine Gonzales, 87, Enjoyed Listening to Music and Dancing
Josephine Gonzales (nee Dongarra), 87, of Lorain, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday January 13, 2011 in her home surrounded by her loving family.
She was the wife of Jesse Gonzales and mother of 6 loving children, 18 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren, all whom will miss her very much.
Josephine was born in Palermo, Sicily on May 10, 1923. She came to the United States with her family when she was 5 years old. She had 5 siblings: Judy Cantu, Mary Sparks, Louie Dongarra, Grace Sikora and Connie Versace.
Josephine had first worked as a personal care attendant at Avon Oaks Nursing Home. She later transferred to Shields Nursing Home (now Autumn Aegis) and worked there for over 20 years. After she no longer officially worked, she always served as a caregiver to many close friends and family members.
She was a member of the Catholic Church of St. Peter in Lorain, the church Holy Name Society and Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the VFW #451 Ladies Auxiliary of Lorain where she served as chaplain for 10 years. She enjoyed listening to music and dancing.
Josephine and her husband Jesse recently celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. They first met in high school. Family was the most important value in her life. She was considered "The Rock and Lifeline" of the family.
She is survived by her husband Jesse Gonzales, sister Connie Versace of Lorain, children Cecelia VanHorn (David) of Lorain, Linda Emmons (David) of Westchester, PA, Carmen Norton (Scott) of Tucson, AZ, Kelly Flores of Lorain, Jesse Gonzales (Annetta) and Dino Gonzales (Beth), all of Vermilion.
The family will receive friends Sunday 4 p.m - 7 p.m. at the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave., Lorain. Funeral services will be held Monday at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral chapel followed by the mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at the Catholic Church of St. Peter, 3655 Oberlin Ave, Lorain. The Rev. Richard Hudak, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Lorain, will officiate. Burial will follow in Ridge Hill Memorial Park in Amherst Township.
Memorial contributions can be made to New Life Hospice, 3700 Kolbe Road, Lorain, OH. 44053.
Online condolences may be made at www.gluvna.net.