Connie Gonzales

CONNIE GONZALES Connie Gonzales, 84 entered eternal life on June 4, 2015. A lifelong resident of Santa Fe she was preceded in death by her parents Antonio J. and Luisita P. Ortiz, an infant sister Teresita, two brothers Edward A. and Patrick X., brother in law Don Eiland, nephews Will Eiland and Donnie Sanford. She is survived by her loving husband Elidoro, three sons Richard (Sheree), Greg (Joyce), and David (Shirley), four grandchildren Antonio (Jen), Nina, Nicholas, and David II, and a great grandchild Lucas, due in late June whom she anxiously awaited. She is also survived by her siblings, Rudy A. Ortiz (Vanna), Alicia O. Eiland, Jerry F. Ortiz (Glenda), Eleanor O. Bove (Phil), sisters-in-law Eleanor Ortiz and Chris Ortiz, Della, Ortencia, Lola and Ruth Gonzales, and brother-in-law Arcenio Gonzales. She also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, godchildren, cousins and many treasured friends. A graduate of Loretto Academy, her kindness was evident in how she lived her life. A devout Catholic, her service to the community began as a ticket taker at the weekly Cristo Rey Parish Movie. She later went on to serve as a religious educator and volunteered in numerous projects in and out of the Church. Her faithful dedication was recognized with many designations and awards including the Faithful Servant Award. She worked for the State of New Mexico for 30 years and ultimately retired as Deputy Director of the State Aviation Division. Connie was also a well-respected power player in politics and was pivotal in several New Mexico campaigns. The family would like to thank her caregivers for their countless hours of dedication and compassion: GeriAnn Gonzales, Jessica Aragon, Juliette Baca, Claudia Gallegos, Mariela Flores, Olivia Chavez, Socorro Baca, and Ramona Moya. Funeral services: Rosary, Tuesday June 9, 2015 at 7PM, Berardinelli Funeral Home. Mass of Christian burial, Guadalupe Church, Wednesday June 10, 2015 at noon with rosary preceding the mass at 11AM. Interment at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 1:30PM. The water is flowing gently in the Acequia, things are quiet on the street, you always looked out for us as a big sister should. The luminarias will glow for you this Christmas Eve and we will miss you, for life seems only like a whisper and things that remain have a terrible permanence without you. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made for research of Cerebral Cavernous Malformations: UNM CCM research, C/O Neurology Department, UNM School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131 Berardinelli Family Funeral Service 1399 Luisa Street Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 984-8600 Please sign our guestbook for the family at: www.berardinellifuneralhome.com