Gladys E. Gonzalez

Gladys was born in beautiful Arecibo, Puerto Rico as the daughter of Jamie and Ramona Nieves. Her early life was anything but ordinary, yet it led her to her loving husband of 65 years, Luis Angel Gonzalez, where she created her most wonderful version of her life that she could. Chicago is where the next chapter of her life began. Their family consisted of 4 children, Belinda Soto, late Luis Angel Gonzalez Jr, Judy Pina, and Luis Angel Gonzalez Jr III. She leaves behind her legacy that has grown to 10 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

She was known as one of the strongest women out there, one of the biggest hearts, and always put her family first. She lived a life through an abundance of love, was a master in the kitchen, and could do anything she put her mind to with her hands. They were almost magical! The preparation and cooking of various dishes and even had a trick where her RC cola could sit in a glass with ice all day without melting. There was no request that she could not meet and at the end of every night, her kitchen was spotless, coffee was in the pot, and bellies were always full. Everyone in the family would look forward to the holiday to receive the next ornament for the tree. Each one individualized and like her food, they were her masterpieces that will forever be a part of her loved ones.

The love for her family was unmatched by anyone. The dedication of being a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, neighbor, or even the shoulder to lean on, was felt from anywhere in the world. She was an honest woman, there was no arguing with her because she knew she was full of all the knowledge that she needed, and there were not too many times you could catch her quiet. When she spoke, she was confident, loud, passionate, and her laugh was beautiful and as contagious as they came.

She helped create the foundation for a family that is built from respect, honor, trust, and most of all love. Her smile will never fade, her laugh will continue to echo in the wind, in the walls, and through all the pictures. Our memories will keep her with us in our hearts and her stories will always be told. She is at peace as she was welcomed by her parents, her siblings, her husband, and her sweet baby boy. When you need her the most, be sure to close your eyes and know she is right there with all of us. Throughout the years, her knowledge was abundant, but there were two lingering quotes that stick with me every day, “There are things in this life that you will never know, and that’s because you’re not supposed to” Gladys Gonzalez. “Don’t trust anyone who washes only their face every morning, but forgets to wash their a**” – Gladys Gonzalez