Maria Del Carmen Gonzalez

Maria del Carmen Gonzalez Jan. 8, 1934—Feb. 29, 2016 Maria del Carmen “Mary” Gonzalez passed away at home, surrounded by her 10 children on Monday February 29, 2016. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 4, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with the Rev. Benjamin Magnaye as Celebrant. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation will begin at 6:00 p.m., and Rosary Service at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 3, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel. Maria was born in la Hacienda de Mamulique N.L. Mexico on January 8, 1934, to Glafiro and Benita Elizondo. She grew up in a small town where her father owned the only grocery store in town, that provided most of everything needed for its town establishment, the only telephone, postmaster, gasoline, mechanic, and only locally farm raised milk. She attended grade school until the 6th grade. Maria was a caretaker for her family then and learned so much about farming, housekeeping, family business and unity. In her home town, she met the love of her life, Teodulo “Ted” Gonzalez, Sr. She loved dancing and met her husband at a cousin’s wedding, where they shared their first dance together. Ted courted her for a year until he asked for her hand in marriage. On November 21, 1954, they joined their lives in one solid marriage amongst close family and friends. Celebrating this past November 61 years of faithful love! They went on to have their first three children in Mamulique N.L. In 1957, they immigrated to Mesquite, Texas, after Ted joined the U.S. Army. Seeing how much they loved living in Texas, Maria became a citizen and got her naturalization. Within that time, the family had grown to seven children. In 1966 Maria’s husband, Ted, got promoted to Assistant Manager for the local Waco El Chico and moved their family to Waco the following year. As Waco grew on Ted and Mary, they made Waco their home in those humble beginnings to continue raising their children. The couple joined Sacred Heart Church, where many of the children achieved their divine sacraments and participated in church events. Maria raised her children in the church, with faithful commitment to the Lord’s abundance of love for us all. This July they would be celebrating 49 years of loyal membership to its parish. The family continued to grow and Ted and Mary were blessed with their last three children. She had the hardest job in the world, having and raising 10 kids. As their desire grew stronger together to start their own business, Mary and Ted opened “Ted’s Midway Café” in 1969 in Woodway, Texas. Those were just the beginning of days for local patrons to grow as family of the Gonzalez’s. In 1973, they opened their second location and called it “Mary’s Bellmead Café”, off of Bellmead Dr., and it was there that Maria perfected her own chili recipe while she was running her restaurant. Since then, she passed it on to her children with only a few of them knowing its top secret ingredients, and they prepare it daily for the family’s restaurant today. She had a woman help her with the prepping of the kitchen, homemade pies, pralines and homemade cornbread. We were also known for our American dishes, as well. Two of the eldest teenage sons, then 13 and 17, helped run the front of the business while Momma was in the kitchen. We will share with you just some of her Mothering qualities, hobbies, perfections, and sense of humor that grew on us throughout the years. Mary had a green thumb for gardening, she loved sewing and adjusting hems and patching on all the jeans for hand me downs, making her girls’ outfits, making tissue paper flowers for Cinco de Mayo, cooking for all our friends at our huge round kitchen table, collecting pins, needles, buttons, and nails, taking things apart piece by piece and putting them back together in working condition, BINGO, Skittles and Tootsie Roll Pop candy, decorating for Christmas, and taking candy and stuffed animals back home to Mamulique for the less fortunate on Halloween. She’d iron the kids’ blue jeans and cloth diapers, YEAH SHE DID! She never was able to learn the English language, but with her sense of humor would say “Whatever” and “I don’t care”! Maria also loved to travel. She and Ted frequented Las Vegas and played in Slot Tournaments twice a year, up until the West Ward-Ho Casino was shut down and closed its doors. Her strong work ethic that she instilled into her children will live forever and generations to come. A mother that would bless each of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with a “God Bless you” every meeting moment. Maria fought up until the end, completing radiation therapy just a few days before her passing. She was the strongest woman ever! The Matriarch, our ROCK! Reunited with her love, Momma & Daddy resting in Heaven now. She was preceded in death by her parents; grandson, Adam Martinez, Jr.; brothers, Candelario Elizondo, Celestino Elizondo, Leonardo Elizondo, Gregorio Elizondo, Francisco Elizondo, and Javier Elizondo; and sisters, Juanita Elizondo de Villarreal, Julieta Elizondo de Galvan, Mariana Elizondo de Flores, Maria de los Angeles Elizondo de Vera and Adelina Elizondo de Nino. Surviving are her children, Jose C. Gonzalez and wife, Denise, of Waco, Juan L. Gonzalez and wife, Tammy, of Hillsboro, Teodulo (Teddy) Gonzalez, Jr. and wife, Michelle, of Crawford, Texas, Rosaura (Rosie) Gonzalez of Waco, Ricardo (Richard) Gonzalez of Irving, Texas, Guillermo (Willie) Gonzalez and wife, Jerri, of Waco, Raul (Dooley) Gonzalez and wife, Leslie, of Hillsboro, Carmen Gonzalez Mays and husband, Wayne, of Lorena, David A. Gonzalez of Hewitt, and Veronica Gonzalez Rivera and husband, Rafael, of Montgomery, New York; grandchildren, Garrett and wife, Melissa, Grant, Grace, Cristy, Patricia and husband, Barry Beavers, J.J., Ashley and husband, Igor Vrzina, Erica, Elissa, Teodulo “Teddy” III, Valerie, Nicholas, Jesus “Mickey” and fiancé Elizabeth, Ambar, Stephanie and wife, Shaquel, Veronica, Jessica and husband, Adam Brooks, Whitney and husband, Zach Brown, Zachary and wife, Haley, Garlin, Greyson, Grahm, Karrah, Katelynn, Elisabeth, Nicolas, MariCarmen, Mason, Trace, Ryan, Madison, MariAnna, Lorena and Ally; and 18 great-grandchildren and one on the way. Also surviving are her sister, Maria Cristina Elizondo de Frias and two brothers, Jesus Elizondo and Jose Heriberto Elizondo. The entire Gonzalez Family would like to personally thank: El Conquistador Restaurant employees, customers, friends & family; Home Caretakers: Erika, Mika, Anna, Goya & Tia Esthella; Sacred Heart Church, Father Lorenzo, Father Benji and staff; Dr. Burbidge and all his wonderful staff; Interim Home Health; Providence Hospice staff, Chaplin and nurses, especially Ginny; Providence CHF staff, doctors and nurses, Walmart Pharmacy staff & Pharmacist Rob; Providence Protime Clinic nurses; Dr. Ofobuike Okani; and ALL those nurses, doctors, techs, or aides who ever cared for our Mother. She would meet each of you with a genuine heart felt smile and thanked each and every one after care was rendered to her. Momma appreciated the love and care that y’all gave her. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com.