Atocha Gonzales

ATOCHA M. GONZALES , 86, a resident of Española/formerly of Coyote passed away following a lengthy illness on Saturday, December 23, 2017. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Gonzales; sons, Dennis, Elizario and James Gonzales; grandchildren, Josephine Grijalva, Andrea Gonzales; parents, Tomas and Susana Garcia. Atocha retired after 25 years at the Española hospital in February 1996 and started working as a Foster Grandparent at Fairview Elementary School in September of the same year.  She is survived by her children, George Gonzales (Martha), Susie Grijalva (Javier), Lorraine Valencia, Tommy Gonzales (Mary), Floyd Gonzales (Jenny), Lydia Trujillo (Ruben), Geraldine Trujillo (Gabriel), Hazel Salazar (Joseph), Laura Gonzales (Tomas), granddaughters whom she helped raise, Rochelle Ortega and Robyn Lynn Ortega, 29 grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Adelires Trujillo; brothers, Pete Garcia, and Tomas Garcia (Margaret), and many other relatives and friends. Public visitation will begin on Friday, December 29, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 30, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Española. Burial to follow at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery with the following serving the family as pallbearers, Javier Grijalva, Conrad Valencia, Floyd Gonzales Jr., Ruben Trujillo Jr., Russell Trujillo, and Joey Salazar. Honorary pallbearers are all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family of Atocha M. Gonzales has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley.