Maria Teresa Gonzalez

Maria Teresa Gonzalez, age 94, of Columbia, transitioned to Heaven on Thursday July 10th, 2025. She passed comfortably and peacefully in the presence of her son, her only child. Maria spent her last moments looking at pictures and videos of the precious times she enjoyed with her daughter-in-law and two young grandchildren. She was born in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba on May 16th, 1931. Maria was the daughter of Guillermo Medina and Maria Ramirez. Her family consisted of eight children, both brothers and sisters.

Maria was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Dr. Jorge Gonzalez, her sister Aleida Ramirez, and five additional siblings. She is survived by her son, Jorge Gonzalez, Jr., her daughter-in-law, Megan Gonzalez, her granddaughter, Daria Gonzalez, her grandson, Jenson Gonzalez, and her youngest brother, Osvaldo Medina. Mrs. Gonzalez and her family have been established members of St. Peter’s Catholic Church where their son was baptized shortly after his birth at Providence Hospital in Columbia.

Maria received her office administration degree in Pinar Del Rio and is well known as Miss Cuba Beauty Queen 1950. She met her future husband while visiting a sick family member at the hospital in Havana where he was a senior medical student. After Dr. Gonzalez graduated from The University of Havana Medical School in 1952 the couple married and moved to Providence, RI USA where he began his Residency in Psychiatry. Once her husband was hired as an attending physician for The Department of Mental Health in Columbia, SC Maria began her exploration of the enormous occupational opportunities her new country had to offer. She enjoyed working for retail department stores including Berry’s On Main and White’s Dutch square, Rich’s Columbia Mall, and Dillard’s Columbiana. Maria also spent many years working for Adlerian Child Care Center. This became an extremely rewarding experience as her biggest passion in life was caring for young children.

“Momma Maria” as she was affectionately known was one of the cornerstone mothers in the St. Andrews neighborhood where they lived. She maintained a reputation for making the best macaroni & cheese or triple-decker sandwiches her son’s friends ever had. Maria became an all-American mom by loving many of the activities her son enjoyed. Her commitment never faded as she carted him to all of his baseball practices, football practices or BMX racing events. She also loved fishing and water sports and was considered a lucky charm for reeling in the big ones. Her son’s interests led to her love of USC Gamecock football, pro golf and Formula 1 racing. The pinnacle of her life was when her nickname officially changed to “Nana Maria” after the birth of her grandchildren. The intense adoration between the three of them was an enormous blessing in her life and their bond is now eternal.

Maria Gonzalez never forgot her family back in Cuba. She always sent money to loved ones in need while finding ways to help secure jobs and housing for those that were fortunate enough to make it to America. She will always be respected as the sacrifices for her family and community are unmatched. Her love will remain in our hearts, may she rest in peace with God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. The purity and resilience she maintained is an inspiration to us all.

The Gonzalez family will receive family and friends for visitation at 9:30 AM on Friday, July 25th followed by an 11:00 AM service in the Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel at 7600 Woodrow St., Irmo. Burial will follow the service at Woodridge Memorial Park at 138 Corley Mill Rd., Lexington.