Maria Gonzalez

Maria Luz Gonzalez

September 9, 1935 - July 23, 2022

Maria Luz Gonzalez passed away peacefully in home on Saturday, July 23, 2022 with her loving family by her bedside. Maria was born September 9, 1935 to Daniel Gutierrez and Julia Valencia in Clemenceau, Arizona. In 1939, Maria, along with her mother and siblings moved to San Felipe de los Herreros, Michoacan de Ocampo, Mexico to establish and later became pioneers of the pueblito. Maria's father, Daniel, stayed behind in America to continue working and completing agricultural contracts. As a young lady, Maria worked on the family farm as well as the family store. Her family farm grew, harvested, and packaged varieties of corn. Her family, the Gutierrez's, are recognized in the town of San Felipe for bringing the first industrial machinery to grind and produce mass corn products for that era. In 1957, Maria returned to America to seek the life as an American in her native born country. She then met the love of her life, Pedro Escobar Gonzalez, whom she married and began their family of 5 children. They later adopted 2 of Maria's sister's children, raising 7 children together for a period of time (until Maria's nephew & niece, Jose Luis and Julieta Galvan, returned to live with their parents).

Like her father, Maria sought out employment in the field of agriculture as she had grown up on her family farm and was very familiar with the different aspects of growth, harvest, and production. She worked at the various fresh and frozen foods packing houses in Santa Maria, and ultimately, retired from Simplot Foods. She then became a full time retiree, mother, and grandmother.

Maria is survived by her children Alex Gonzalez, Mary Munoz (Martin), and Janet Perez (Gene), her grandchildren; Peter III, James, and Jonathon Gonzalez, Alexis, Max, and Martin Munoz, Sara Ann Blanco, Arianna Amarillas along with numerous great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Maria is preceded in death by her parents, Daniel & Julia Gutierrez, her siblings; Clementina, Daniel, and David Gutierrez, Elvida Cruz, and Ignacia Galvan. Her husband Pedro Escobar Gonzalez, her first born child/son, Peter Gonzalez Jr. and her last born child/son Martin Gonzalez.

Viewing will be Thursday, August 4, 2022 at 5:00PM with Vigil Service to follow at 5:00PM in the Chapel of Magner Maloney Funeral Home. Catholic Mass will be held Friday, August 5, 2022 at 9:30AM at St. Mary's of the Assumption Church. Burial at the Santa Maria Cemetery with Celebration reception to follow at the Gonzalez Residence, 1114 N. Barbara St., Santa Maria, CA. 93458.

Arrangements are in the care of Magner-Maloney Funeral Home and Crematory. Sympathy notes and words of support may be expressed at www.magnermaloney.com.