Delia M. Gonzalez

Delia Maria Gonzalez, 88, of Springfield, died peacefully at 1:04 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at Regency Care, surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. Gonzalez was born July 2, 1927 in Havana, Cuba, the daughter of Dr. Antonio Paez and Delia Borges Paez. She married the love of her life, Dr. Jose Luis Gonzalez on August 18, 1950 in Denver, Colorado. He preceded her in death in 1999. Mrs. Gonzalez received an internship as a teaching assistant at Loretto Heights College in Denver in 1949. Later, she earned a bachelor's degree in Spanish Studies from MacMurray College in Jacksonville Illinois and a master's degree in Spanish Language and Literature from Illinois State University. She accomplished this and so much more while lovingly raising seven children. She established and co-owned The Language Center in Springfield, a unique small business providing foreign language education to executives, students, and travelers. She enthusiastically taught Spanish at City Day School, Ursuline Academy, Lutheran High School, and Sacred Heart-Griffin High School, and was loved by her students. Mrs. Gonzalez worked for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Child Abuse Hotline from 1980 to 1990, where she impacted the Spanish community throughout the state of Illinois. She also worked as a translator and interpreter for the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois. Mrs. Gonzalez relished spending time with her large family and beloved dogs. She also enjoyed singing in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception choir, traveling (especially abroad), speaking French, attending Illinois Symphony Orchestra concerts, observing Cuban traditions and cooking Cuban food, particularly for "Noche Buena" (Christmas Eve). Mrs. Gonzalez exuded warmth and passion, and was loved by many. She was also preceded in death by her parents, and her brothers, Juan Antonio Paez and Dr. Jorge Paez. She is survived by four daughters, Delia M. Dixon (Paul), Helena M. Coady (Greg), Carmen M. Kealey, and Teresita M. Gonzalez; three sons, Jose Luis Gonzalez, Jr. (Maria), Dr. J. Antonio Gonzalez and Dr. Ricardo R. Gonzalez (Susan); twelve grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 24, 2016 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 245 N. Amos Ave, Springfield. Visitation will begin with a prayer service. Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 25, 2016 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, with Rev. Seth Brown officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Church, 524 East Lawrence Ave., Springfield, IL 62705 or Illinois Humane Society, P.O. Box 512, Springfield, IL 62705.