Mary
Mary U Gonzales
d. July 28, 2016
Mary U. Gonzales, born as Maria Estella Ulibarri on June 9, 1928, died peacefully at home, surrounded by family on July 28, 2016.
Mary was born in Nutrias, NM, the youngest of seven children, to Onofre and Juan A. Ulibarri. Her siblings, who preceded her in death, were Juan (Johnny), Arthur, Prudencio, Waldo, Margaret (Marge), and Beatrice (Bea). Mary was also preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Benito (Benny) Gonzales in 1992.
Mary is survived by her six children, Benjamin A. Gonzales (Jill), Anna Van Ornum (David), Patrick Gonzales, Raymond Gonzales (Lisa), Victoria Hanawalt (Kurt), and Louis Gonzales. She is also survived by her six grandchildren, Michelle Bagdon (Colin), Sarah Van Ornum, Christopher Gonzales, Joshua Gonzales, Ben W. Gonzales, and Gabriel Gonzales. She also leaves behind her beloved nieces, Maria Elena (Nena) Martinez, Terry Lucero, and Helen Trujillo; and a sister-in-law, Marion Ulibarri.
Mary spent her childhood in Santa Fe, with her mother and siblings, and was proud to be part of the Ulibarri family, a loving and "united" family who looked out for one another. Her mother, Onofre Maestas Ulibarri, was active in the Santa Fe community and was respected as one who cared for others, in their time of need.
Mary graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1946, where she excelled academically and worked as a secretary at the atomic Energy Commission. In 1951, she married Benny Gonzales in Santa Fe. They moved to Albuquerque in 1953, where they raised six children. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt.
After her youngest child was in school, Mary returned to work as a secretary at Valle Vista Elementary School for 19 years, retiring in 1988. She loved the children at the school as well as their families. After retirement, Mary cared for her grandchildren. Above all else, Mary valued education and encouraged all of her children (and grandchildren) to attend college. She was so proud that they pursued higher education and became valued members of their communities.
Mary loved to do her daily crossword puzzles and read her books - she loved a good story. She frequented the Albuquerque Public Library for many years. She also was a wonderful storyteller and would regale her family with stories. Mary was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and mother-in-law. She was an intelligent and delightful woman, who we all will miss.
Mary and her husband were founding members of Holy Ghost parish and she was devoted in her faith. She attended church faithfully and was happy to have celebrated Easter Sunday Mass this year with her family, but, it saddened her that she had not been able to attend church service since that time.
The family is very grateful for the compassionate care from her caregivers from Home Care Assistance, especially from Ana Arellano and Nicole Moses-Perry. We are also thankful for the professional, caring support of Presbyterian Hospice Care, especially from Pam Mares, RN and Dr. Kathy Ligon.
A Rosary will be recited for Mary on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. followed by the Mass at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Ghost Church, 833 Arizona St. SE. A reception will follow the Mass in the Fellowship Hall. Interment will follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 2:15 p.m., where she will be buried with her husband.
Mary was born in Nutrias, NM, the youngest of seven children, to Onofre and Juan A. Ulibarri. Her siblings, who preceded her in death, were Juan (Johnny), Arthur, Prudencio, Waldo, Margaret (Marge), and Beatrice (Bea). Mary was also preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Benito (Benny) Gonzales in 1992.
Mary is survived by her six children, Benjamin A. Gonzales (Jill), Anna Van Ornum (David), Patrick Gonzales, Raymond Gonzales (Lisa), Victoria Hanawalt (Kurt), and Louis Gonzales. She is also survived by her six grandchildren, Michelle Bagdon (Colin), Sarah Van Ornum, Christopher Gonzales, Joshua Gonzales, Ben W. Gonzales, and Gabriel Gonzales. She also leaves behind her beloved nieces, Maria Elena (Nena) Martinez, Terry Lucero, and Helen Trujillo; and a sister-in-law, Marion Ulibarri.
Mary spent her childhood in Santa Fe, with her mother and siblings, and was proud to be part of the Ulibarri family, a loving and "united" family who looked out for one another. Her mother, Onofre Maestas Ulibarri, was active in the Santa Fe community and was respected as one who cared for others, in their time of need.
Mary graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1946, where she excelled academically and worked as a secretary at the atomic Energy Commission. In 1951, she married Benny Gonzales in Santa Fe. They moved to Albuquerque in 1953, where they raised six children. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt.
After her youngest child was in school, Mary returned to work as a secretary at Valle Vista Elementary School for 19 years, retiring in 1988. She loved the children at the school as well as their families. After retirement, Mary cared for her grandchildren. Above all else, Mary valued education and encouraged all of her children (and grandchildren) to attend college. She was so proud that they pursued higher education and became valued members of their communities.
Mary loved to do her daily crossword puzzles and read her books - she loved a good story. She frequented the Albuquerque Public Library for many years. She also was a wonderful storyteller and would regale her family with stories. Mary was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and mother-in-law. She was an intelligent and delightful woman, who we all will miss.
Mary and her husband were founding members of Holy Ghost parish and she was devoted in her faith. She attended church faithfully and was happy to have celebrated Easter Sunday Mass this year with her family, but, it saddened her that she had not been able to attend church service since that time.
The family is very grateful for the compassionate care from her caregivers from Home Care Assistance, especially from Ana Arellano and Nicole Moses-Perry. We are also thankful for the professional, caring support of Presbyterian Hospice Care, especially from Pam Mares, RN and Dr. Kathy Ligon.
A Rosary will be recited for Mary on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. followed by the Mass at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Ghost Church, 833 Arizona St. SE. A reception will follow the Mass in the Fellowship Hall. Interment will follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 2:15 p.m., where she will be buried with her husband.
Service Details
Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016, 9:30am, Holy Ghost Church
Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016, 10:00am, Holy Ghost Church
Interment Details
Santa Fe National Cemetery
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