Mary Alice Gonsalves

Dec. 18, 1934 ~ Jul 25, 2013

Mary Alice was born in San Diego, California to loving immigrant parents from the Island of Pico in the Portuguese Azores, Jose Garcia da Rosa and Maria de Ascenção Soares. A Point Loma native, she attended Cabrillo Elementary and Dana Junior High, going on to graduate from Point Loma High school, where she reveled in marching and twirling her baton as a drum majorette. Later she graduated from California Western University, and then attended the University of San Diego Law School.

From early childhood she was aware of her Portuguese heritage and relished the festivals, food and spirit that were such a part of her life - with family and community. She not only maintained her ties to her community but made great contributions as well. She was the first woman ever elected President of the Board of Directors of the United Portuguese S.E.S. Hall. She was a founder of the Alicança Açoreana of San Diego, and with her husband, Avelino (Avey) Gonsalves was co-President of the Portuguese Community’s major event, the annual Festa do Espirito Santo, as well as the Festa Madeirense do Santo Amaro. She supported, in various ways, the community’s clubs and smaller organizations. She also helped make it clear that the traditions, customs, and values were worth keeping alive for future generations.

She was an adventurous spirit, very social, strong and fiercely independent - she made the most of living. She traveled the world when it was not as common as today, across the globe to such places as, Portugal, France, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Iran, and Greece. During her travels she visited and made many lifelong friends. Her travels later inspired her career. Mary Alice and her brother Jose (Joe) da Rosa, purchased a small travel agency (Balboa Travel) and built it into, what is now a nationally recognized Travel Company.

A strong woman and successful business person in her own right, in 1976 she married Avey, the love of her life (who pre-deceased her in 2008). He was a self-made man - a successful Tuna Seiner Captain, Manager, and Owner. They led an active, full and happy life and will now have eternal happiness together.

She was philanthropically generous, often quietly, her generosity not limited to Portuguese community, but a multitude of worthy causes with which she was involved in San Diego, the U.S. and internationally. In San Diego, she supported the Monarch School for homeless children by personally delivering meals on St. Patrick’s Day and other special occasions. Then earlier this year she made a major contribution, she joined with other benefactors in an initiative that led to the successful construction and inauguration of a sparkling new school on Newton Avenue, south of Market Street. Marking her contribution and highlighting her heritage, the school includes a 100-foot+ mural honoring the history of the local tuna fishing industry.

Mary Alice set for her family, friends and all those who knew her a beautiful example of how to enhance the world we live in, as well as cherish and keep alive our own histories. She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law – Joe & Marly da Rosa; by John & Virginia Gonsalves, her brother-in-law and his wife; and by many loving nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made “In Memory of Mary Alice Gonsalves” to the Monarch School for homeless children - 1625 Newton Avenue San Diego, CA 92113; Saint Agnes Catholic Church - 1140 Evergreen St. San Diego, CA 92106; United Portuguese SES Inc - 2818 Avenida de Portugal, San Diego, CA 92106.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 3 ,2013 – 9:30 a.m. at Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 2802 Cadiz Street, San Diego, CA 92110.

Viewing will precede the services at 9am, the praying of the Rosary will begin at 9:30 a.m. Following the services, interment will follow at Holy Cross Mausoleum.