Shirley Isadora Gonzales

Shirley Gonzales, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, great-aunt, sister, and friend, passed away surrounded by the love of her family. She was the devoted wife of Joseph Ignacio Gonzales II and the third of twelve children born to Leo Mares and Frances Mares. Shirley was born in Kansas, raised in Tucumcari NM where she met her husband of 64 years.
Shirley was the proud mother of five children-Joe Gonzales, Dan Gonzales, Mark Gonzales, Jacque Guerra, and Ginger Marphis; her children-in-law, Denise Gonzales, Lorena Gonzales, Frank Guerra, Roger Marphis-but her nurturing spirit extended far beyond her immediate family. She was a devoted grandmother and great-grandmother, a loving aunt and great-aunt, and to many, a second mom and role model. She is survived by her big sister, Connie Moffitt, her lil sis's, Betty Jo Braziel, & Debbie O'Donnell and by her youngest brother, Romolo Mares.
She was the quintessential "team mom"-an "Indian Maiden" mom, cheer team mom, school carpool mom, and the ever-reliable driver to countless baseball, football, and cheer practices and competitions.
A woman of remarkable talent and resourcefulness, Shirley was a master seamstress with a creative eye for detail. She lovingly sewed her daughter's prom formal, a lasting example of her skill and devotion. She also had a gift for interior design and was a genius budget maker, often taking on extra work to ensure her children felt confident, included, and cared for. Resourceful and determined, she was a true do-it-yourselfer who met life's challenges with ingenuity and grace.
Shirley found great joy in dancing, especially when she and her husband, Joseph, had the chance to dance together. Whether at family gatherings or special occasions, they loved taking to the dance floor, and everyone delighted in watching them cut a rug-sharing laughter, rhythm, and a joy that was unmistakably theirs.
Faith was central to Shirley's life. At her church, Santa Paula, in Fremont, California, She sang for many years in the Sunday choir, was an active member of her parish's weekly prayer groups, and faithfully served as a Eucharistic Minister. In Sparks, at Immaculate conception she attended mass every Sunday for the last 32 years she lived in the area.
Above all, Shirley was a nurturing, loving, and compassionate woman-an independent thinker guided by strong values and deep consideration for others. Her legacy lives on through her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and the many lives she touched through quiet service, joyful presence, and unwavering love.
God allowed us to be bless with our angel on earth, Shirley Gonzales, who has already earned her wings and is now surrounded by all those who passed before her. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.