Josephine Martinez Gonzales' Obituary
Josephine (Josefina) Martinez Gonzales of Dallas, also lovingly remembered as “Josie,” passed away peacefully in hospice care at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, TX on Saturday, December 30, 2017 at the age of 86 years, with all her children by her side. Born in Kaufman, TX on April 19, 1931, to Josefina Alanis Martinez of Villa de Santiago, Mexico and Aurelio Cepeda Martinez of Santa Catarina, Mexico, she was one of 11 siblings. She moved with her family from Kaufman to Rowlett, and then to Wylie, TX. In 1949, she met a talented musician Albert Vaught Gonzales and they were married on May 27, 1950 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Wylie. Josie & Albert moved to Dallas, TX, where they raised 6 children & 1 granddaughter. She worked at the Resistol Hat Factory and went on to having her own business with Fashion Two Twenty Cosmetics for over 8 years. She was also an accomplished seamstress for most of her life, specializing in hand beaded wedding gowns. However, she would say her greatest accomplishment in life was her “beautiful family” she leaves behind as her legacy. Not only was she a loving, dedicated mother very involved in each of her children and grandchildren’s lives, she was also always there for extended family & friends as well. So many people adopted her as their “Mama Gonzo.” There are countless stories from friends from Hawaii to Costa Rica and in between, all with a common theme – kindness. Her heart & home (and kitchen) were always open to so many people. Family & friends go on and on about her homemade Mexican food & tortillas. She was always happy to feed a crowd. Although our hearts are filled with sadness, we know she is our beautiful guardian angel now, watching over us. We will carry her in our hearts and our day-to-day routines, remembering how she would say, “Stay off your phone [while driving]. Make sure you have gas. Put on a jacket. Take care of each other. Put some pumpkin pie spice in there. Add a little more cumino,” etc. She touched each of our lives forever and she is deeply missed. Josefina (Josephine) is preceded in death by her husband, Albert Vaught Gonzales; her brothers and sisters Prisciliano (Pete) Martinez & wife Maria, Petra (Bertha) Medina & husband Manuel, Laurencio (Lawrence) Martinez & wife Nancy, Leonor (Nora) Trevino & husband Joe , Fidelio Martinez, Demetrio Martinez, Margarita (Margaret) Cuellar & husband Ralph, Alejandro (Alex) Martinez & wife Betty, Eloisa (Lois) Fuentes & husband Roy; dear family member Charles Joekel; and former grandson-in-law Samuel Garza. She is survived by her 6 children Alcadio Mackie Gonzales & wife Sylvia, Lois Ann Bacon & husband Terry, Albert Gonzales & girlfriend Emma, Debora Gonzales, Arthur Gonzales & wife Lili Gonzales, and Alfred Gonzales; 8 grandchildren Summer Rush, James Grinnell, Aaron Grinnell & wife Jamie, Candace Fleming & husband Scott, Joseph Grinnell, Jonathon Grinnell & wife Vera, Alyssa Mize, and Joshua Gonzales; 13 great-grandchildren Brianna, Isabella, Jake, Luke, Ethan, Skyler, Hayden, Hallie, Michael, Vega, Gideon, Ariel, and Harley; 1 great-great-grandchild on the way; and her only living sibling Eugenio (Henry) Martinez and wife Elida. Visitation will be held at Restland Funeral Home in the Memorial Chapel from 6-8pm on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 with a Rosary at 7pm. Funeral will also be held at Restland Memorial Chapel with a Catholic Vigil at 11am on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, officiated by Deacon John Schell of St. Pius X Catholic Church. Burial will immediately follow at Restland in The Court of Good Shepherd with a reception at The Restland Event Center. (Restland Funeral Home is located at 13005 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75243.) Pallbearers will be Alcadio Mackie Gonzales, Albert Gonzales, Arthur Gonzales, Alfred Gonzales, James Grinnell and Scott Fleming. The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks for all prayers and support, with a special thank you to our dear family friend Hojana Argueta for taking great care of our precious mother, talented Flamenco guitarist & family friend Miguel Antonio for playing to her in the hospital & at the service, and for Mom’s dear niece Monica Kane for speaking at the service, as Mother’s wish.
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