Josephine Ann Gonzales

Wife, Mother, Sister, Nana, and Great Nana

Born May 16, 1940 in San Diego, California

Josephine was the 4th daughter of 6 children, born to Alexander and Sophia Solis. At the time Josephine was born, her father was an engineer on a commercial tuna ship out of the port of San Diego. Shortly after Josephine was born her father began working at Roars Aircraft where he learned to be a machinist. The family lived in Old Town San Diego, where Josephine grew up.

Josephine had a happy childhood, always laughing and loved life. As a young girl Josephine loved to ride her bicycle. She looked up to her older sister Gloria and always followed her around. Josephine was very close to her grandmother and loved spending her summers in, San Vicente, Baja California, Mexico where she learned how to cook, and care for animals on the ranch. When Josephine was a teenager, her mother opened a restaurant, Tres Dias Cafe, in Palm City, San Diego. Shortly after the opening of the restaurant her family relocated to Imperial Beach, California, where Josephine spent her teenage years. Josephine and her twin sisters Norma and Mary lou, were the waitresses at her mother’s restaurant. Josephine was beautiful inside and out, a total heart throb as many would say! While waitressing at the family restaurant, Josephine was admired by many but was won over by the love of her life, Alex Gonzales.

Josephine and Alex were married on October 26, 1957 in San Diego and began creating their beautiful family! Together they created a close knit family filled with lots of love and affection for over 55 years.

In 1960, Josephine became a mother to her first daughter Dora. In February of 1961, her second daughter, Barbara was born and in July of 1962, her son Alex was born. Shortly after the birth of Alex Jr., the family relocated to the City of Fontana, after Alex had obtained a job at Kaiser Hospital.

Josephine was a very dedicated mother and wife. She stayed at home and took care of the household. Everyday she would cook homemade meals and clean the house, after a hard days work, Josephine would ensure that dinner was cooked and ready for the family to enjoy together when Alex arrived.

In May of 1969, her family grew with the addition of their fourth child, Corrina. Josephine was a very loving and affectionate mother, always protecting and looking after her children. She was a very involved mother, the children were never bored, she was always interacting and playing with the kids, she was good at keeping them busy and entertained. Josephine was very creative, she would sew, make the children clothes, embroider, and crochet in her spare time.

Josephine was a social butterfly, every weekend was spent with family and close friends. She loved spending time with lots of family and friends. Josephine loved to sing and dance. She loved her Rancheras! She had many hobbies, she loved to garden, cook, entertain and have a good time. Josephine was beautiful and artistic and would express it when she performed gymnastics, belly dancing, and Tahitian dancing. She loved being on stage and making her own costumes.

Josephine, was an amazing strong, independent woman, she was the ROCK of the family! Josephine was someone you could always depend on and was always there for everyone, her children, her grandchildren, her great grandchildren, her extended family and friends. Josephine touched many people, she had the biggest heart and loved everyone. She was a great listener and always gave good advice. She was little but fierce, “Chiquita Picosa” as described by many. Her grandson Sergio would often say, “What a Woman,” which perfectly described her! Josephine was the kind of woman that could do anything she set her mind to, nothing stopped her!

Josephine had a great life that was well lived, a chapter completed and a rest well earned. She will be missed by her family and friends, the memories we have of her will bring us comfort, wisdom, strength and guidance in our lives. She will be forever in our hearts and always in our thoughts. It gives us comfort to know that she is now resting in heaven in the arms of the love of her life, and with her grandson Sergio by her side. Together they are enjoying eternal life with her parents her sisters and the rest of her family and friends.

Josephine Gonzales is survived by her daughters Dora, Barbara, Corrina, her son Alex, her sister’s Gloria, Dolores, her brother Alex, her 13 grandchildren and her 25 great grandchildren.