Rose L. Gonzales

Maria Rosalia Luisa Gonzales, “Rose” was born on September 4, 1950, and went to be with Our Father in Heaven on February 18, 2024. Rose was born in Rio Arriba County, NM to parents Lydia and Antonio Geronimo (Jerry) Sanchez.

Rose was the 2nd oldest of 6 children and raised in Velarde, NM. After graduating high school, she attended business college, but then met the love of her life, Bernie Gonzales, at the Acapulco dance hall in Penasco, NM. Rose and Bernie married in 1969 and moved to Tucson, AZ in 1970, where shortly after they welcomed their 2 daughters, Evangeline and Dorothy. Rose then wanted to finish her education, so she attended and graduated from Tucson College of Business.

Rose went on to be the assistant manager of Handy Andy Hardware Store and then O’Malleys Hardware Store. In 1987 O’Malleys closed and she then went to work at Sports Etc in 1989 and then finally Puffin Inc, from which she finally retired in 2017.

Rose loved to go to the casino and play the slots and bingo with her daughter Dorothy. She was usually pretty lucky too. Above all that though, 9 times out of 10, you would find her and Bernie at the parks on the weekends at a soccer game or tournament. Rose first started playing soccer in 1984 with a team called “The Guzzlers”, and the rest is history.

Rose is preceded in death by her daughter Evangeline Gonzales, her husband of 51 years, Bernie Gonzales, her parents Antonio G & Lydia Sanchez from Velarde, NM, paternal grandparents Juan de Dios and Marina Sanchez, maternal grandparents Jose and Ascencion Romero; baby sister Evangelina Sanchez, brothers Peter Sanchez, Tony Sanchez, Lawrence “Lo” Sanchez Sr, niece and nephews Alichia Sanchez, Peter Sanchez Jr, Jerome Sanchez Jr, and mother and father-in-law Victoriano Sr & Estefanita Gonzales, brothers and sisters in-law Eustaquio (Ruth) Gonzales, Ramona (Tranquilino) Lopez, Alicia & Joe Martinez, Jose E. Gonzales “Chacho”, Juan (Eva) Gonzales, Victoriano (Diane) Gonzales Jr, Carlota Gonzales, Lawrence (Cecilia) Gonzales and Michael Gonzales.

Rose is survived by her daughter Dorothy La Verne (Carlos) Gonzales Rodriguez, grandchildren Patricia Marie (Noel) Gonzales Ramos, Crystal Evangeline Triste (Edgar Gomez), Angel Julian Triste, Noah Eric McFarlane, great-grandchildren Isaac Adan Ramos, Elizabeth-Rose Gomez, Noel Luciano Ramos III, Evelyn Rosalia Ramos, Josephine Bernadette Gomez, Valentina Alicia Ramos, and one more Baby Gomez on the way, youngest brother Jerome (Valerie) Sanchez Sr, godson Lawrence (Jackie) Sanchez Jr, brothers and sisters in-law Dolores “Lolly” Sanchez, Cheryl Sanchez, Mary Sanchez, Ruth Gonzales, Otilia Polaco, Ermo (Liz) Gonzales, Rosa Garcia, Eva Gonzales, Diane Gonzales, Liberato (Josie) Gonzales, Cecilia Gonzales and Tiofila Gonzales and many nieces and nephews. I would like to add that she is also survived by her “brother/boss” Chuck Vaught. She first met Chuck in 1989 ; he was the owner of Sports Etc and she worked for him until she retired from Puffin Inc. Rose and Chuck formed a close bond over the years, as well as with Bernie. Last of all, Rose is also survived by all her soccer players who loved and adored her and who got the opportunity to know her and be a part of hers and Bernie’s lives over the past 40 years. Thank you, thank you for sharing your lives with them and opening your hearts to them, and fulfilling their lives with so much joy and great memories over the years.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 2nd, 2024, at Martinez Funeral Chapel located at 2580 S. 6th Ave in Tucson, AZ from 10:00am-1:00pm. Immediately following the rosary, please join us for a reception with food and drinks at the Martinez Reception Hall located across the parking lot from the funeral chapel, to celebrate and remember her life. If anyone would like to speak at the rosary or reception, and share a favorite memory of Rose, please feel free to do so.