In Memory Of
Mary E. Gonsalo
1929
2016
Mary E. Gonsalo
May 7, 1929 — June 1, 2016
Mary Elise Gonsalo, 87, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away Wednesday, June 1st. Mary was born on May 7th, 1929, in Long Island, New York to George Westpfal and Mary Kearney Westpfal. She graduated from Mount Ida College in Newton, Massachusetts.
Mary was naturally a social person who drew people of all walks of life to her and she especially enjoyed planning social events that brought people together.
Mary and the family would take yearly summer trips to Hilton Head Island. The start of the trip consisted of a road trip with her daughter and grandchildren. Every year they would stop someplace fun along the way. Mary's favorite stop was Ruby Falls. The rest of the family would join them at various times. Bike riding on the island quickly became another tradition, which consisted of handle bars with duck taped flash lights and jumping deer. Yes jumping deer; Mary came very close to being a casualty of a deer who decided it would be fun to jump over the front tire of her bike. Thankfully both Mary and the deer were fine. The vacation would conclude with Mary and Jean driving back to Kansas knowing eventually the vacation would be permanent.
Window shopping, as Mary called it, was a past time that you could catch her doing almost weekly. According to Mary it wasn't about buying but rather seeing what the new fashions were, but bringing home some of those fashions was ok too.
Jean and Mary shared a love to travel. Some of the most memorable places included Spain, Portugal, Alaska, Bermuda and several cruises to varying parts of the world. Ultimately though their favorite vacation was their move to Hilton Head; it was an extended stay of 13 years and held some of the most enjoyable moments of her life.
Mary also had a love for animals and the many doggie family members they had. Fred was the latest edition to the family and mirrored Mary's spunk and brought her great joy. He is the first small dog Mary and Jean had and she loved that he could sit on her lap in the car or on the couch at home.
Mary is survived by her husband of 64 years, Jean Gonsalo, her daughters, Elise Hartwell (Larry) and Susan Breece (Bob Chitty), grandchildren, Jennifer and Matthew Breece. The great grandchildren include Matt's children Novalee and Theseus and Jennifer's daughter Isabella Jean.
A celebration of her life is being planned and will be announced at a later date.
The family would like to thank the nurses at Villa St. Joseph and the nurses with Advantage Hospice, Kristy, Chastity, and Stephanie, for all of their support through this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Shelter to Soldier (www.sheltertosoldier.org, 3143 Fourth Avenue San Diego, CA. 92103). Please put Mary Gonsalo in the comment box.
To leave a message of condolence for Mary's family or to share a special memory of Mary, visit the guestbook below.
Mary was naturally a social person who drew people of all walks of life to her and she especially enjoyed planning social events that brought people together.
Mary and the family would take yearly summer trips to Hilton Head Island. The start of the trip consisted of a road trip with her daughter and grandchildren. Every year they would stop someplace fun along the way. Mary's favorite stop was Ruby Falls. The rest of the family would join them at various times. Bike riding on the island quickly became another tradition, which consisted of handle bars with duck taped flash lights and jumping deer. Yes jumping deer; Mary came very close to being a casualty of a deer who decided it would be fun to jump over the front tire of her bike. Thankfully both Mary and the deer were fine. The vacation would conclude with Mary and Jean driving back to Kansas knowing eventually the vacation would be permanent.
Window shopping, as Mary called it, was a past time that you could catch her doing almost weekly. According to Mary it wasn't about buying but rather seeing what the new fashions were, but bringing home some of those fashions was ok too.
Jean and Mary shared a love to travel. Some of the most memorable places included Spain, Portugal, Alaska, Bermuda and several cruises to varying parts of the world. Ultimately though their favorite vacation was their move to Hilton Head; it was an extended stay of 13 years and held some of the most enjoyable moments of her life.
Mary also had a love for animals and the many doggie family members they had. Fred was the latest edition to the family and mirrored Mary's spunk and brought her great joy. He is the first small dog Mary and Jean had and she loved that he could sit on her lap in the car or on the couch at home.
Mary is survived by her husband of 64 years, Jean Gonsalo, her daughters, Elise Hartwell (Larry) and Susan Breece (Bob Chitty), grandchildren, Jennifer and Matthew Breece. The great grandchildren include Matt's children Novalee and Theseus and Jennifer's daughter Isabella Jean.
A celebration of her life is being planned and will be announced at a later date.
The family would like to thank the nurses at Villa St. Joseph and the nurses with Advantage Hospice, Kristy, Chastity, and Stephanie, for all of their support through this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Shelter to Soldier (www.sheltertosoldier.org, 3143 Fourth Avenue San Diego, CA. 92103). Please put Mary Gonsalo in the comment box.
To leave a message of condolence for Mary's family or to share a special memory of Mary, visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary E. Gonsalo, please visit our flower store.
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