Patsy Gonzalez

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Patsy Gonzalez, beloved mother and cherished friend, who left us peacefully at the age of 87. Born on May 3, 1937, in Dumas, Texas, to Joseph Haskell and Sadie Frances Abbott

McDonald, Patsy’s journey through life was marked by deep love, resilience, and an unwavering passion for being there for her family.

A rosary will be said at 10:30 AM on Thursday, April 17, 2025 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1200 S. Washington, the funeral mass will follow immediately at 11:00 AM. Rev. Anthony Neusch will be the celebrant. Private interment will be held at Llano Cemetery.

Patsy’s family moved to Oklahoma, where she went to high school in Buffalo Valley. After moving to Amarillo in 1959, she attended Amarillo College and was certified in dental hygiene. Her few years as a dental assistant for Dr. Hal Riddle reflected her nurturing nature and attention to detail, traits she carried into every aspect of her life.

Mostly, and unashamedly, Patsy aspired to be, in her words, a “pampered wife,” and on July 9, 1961, Patsy married the love of her life, Bart Gonzalez, at St. Laurence in Amarillo, and became just that. Married for over 53 years, together, they built a warm and loving home, where Patsy thrived as a devoted wife and mother. She will be remembered for her kindness, strength, and unwavering support—a testament to the loving legacy she leaves behind.

Patsy was a member of St. Mary’s Cathedral and the Altar Guild. She hosted many Christmas parties and meetings at her house for the group. Patsy’s home was the center of celebration for all holidays for her family. She was a master hostess and entertainer, with beautiful table settings as her particular forte. She was also a skilled seamstress and embroiderer, lovingly sewing wardrobes for her girls and grandkids and using two computerized embroidery machines to create gifts throughout the years for all her relatives. Her memory will be cherished long after death by those who received personalized tablecloths, napkins, pillows, towels, throws, and many other gift items from her.

Patsy enjoyed music and singing and ensured her children, who were so inclined, were provided lessons. She attended many musical recitals, concerts, and other events for her children and grandchildren. She even took up piano lessons for herself in her sixties!

Most of all, Patsy enjoyed her siblings, who would gather for “sib dinners” every month to celebrate birthdays and play Mexican Train dominoes after, although she would complain she “never won”.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bart, a son, John Christopher Gonzalez, and two brothers, Jerry and Lonnie McDonald.

Patsy is lovingly survived by her children, Roni Swindell and her husband Patrick, and Randy May all of Amarillo, Dana Gonzalez of Dallas and Jane Gonzalez Bass and her husband Mark of Richmond, Virginia; her siblings, Helen Ann Hunter, Joe Richard McDonald and wife Judy, Susie Veltri, Sylvia Garvin, and Beckie Allen; and her grandchildren, Tyson Swindell, Rachel McKee and her husband Cullen, Erica Swindell and her husband Erik Saxvik, Trevor Swindell, Alexandria Hall, Russell Hall and wife Lexi, Max Hall and wife Olivia, Nathaniel Bass, foster granddaughter, Fabiola Rezende and husband Paco; and many great- grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family will be forever grateful to the staff at Legacy at Town Square, where Patsy spent the last year of her life.