Elvira Mercedes Gonzales

Elvira Mercedes Gonzales, 76, of Punta de Agua, NM passed away on Monday, December 29, 2008 at her home with her loving family beside her. Elvira was born on May 18, 1932 to Jose Antonio and Juanita (Vallejos) Torres in Progresso, NM. Elvira married Toby G. Gonzales on November 20, 1948 in Torreon, NM and he preceded her in death on December 28, 2002. Elvira established the St. Vincent de Paul Society of the St. Alice Catholic Church, and served as the first president and was an active member until her health prohibited her from doing so. She received her GED in the summer of 1987. She was a CCD teach for many years. She was a school bus driver for the Mountainair Public School until she retired in 1994. Elvira and her husband were Mayodormos for the St. Vincent de Paul church for many years. Elvira was a very loving, caring, and dedicated individual in her community. Elvira was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and sister, Teresa Sanchez. She is survived by her sons, Charles Gonzales and wife Stella of Alamogordo, NM; Marshall Gonzales and wife Martha of Albuquerque, NM; Norm Gonzales and wife Frances of Punta de Agua, NM; Michael Parson of Prescott, AZ; daughters, Rachel Mason of Lancaster, CA; Frances Candelaria and husband Mario of Albuquerque, NM; Mary Ann Velasquez and husband Ernest of Albuquerque, NM; Clare Lopez and husband Guy of Black Lake, NM; Lisa Gonzales of Albuquerque, NM; brothers, Fermin Torres; Eloy Torres; and brother-in-law, Frank Gonzales; sister, Mary Abeyta; 13 grandchildren; and 9 great grandchildren. A rosary will be recited on Thursday, January 1, 2009 at 7:00PM at the St. Alice Catholic Church in Mountainair, NM. A mass will be celebrated on Friday, January 2, 2009 at 11:00AM at the St. Alice Catholic Church in Mountainair, NM. Father Ron Stone will be officiating. Interment will follow at the St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery in Punta de Agua, NM. Pallbearers will be Manuel Quintana, Florentino Torres, Polinario Chaves, Gregorio Vallejos, Vivian Sanchez, and Leo Vallejos. Honorary pallbearers will be all of Elvira’s grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made St. Vincent de Paul Society, PO Box 208, Mountainair, NM 87036. Arrangements entrusted to Harris-Hanlon Mortuary “Our Family Serving Your Family” (505) 847-2331 www.Harris-HanlonMortuary.com