Iris Irene Ronga

"One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to him and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. 'Lord you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.' The Lord replied, 'My precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.'" A native of Puerto Rico, she passed away at her Prairieville home on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010, at age 78. She was a master gardener, an acknowledged volunteer at Smithtown General Hospital and a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. She is survived by her husband, Gabriel "Gabe" J. Ronga; daughter, Rosa M. Cobb; son, Juan J. Cortes; grandchildren, Jonathan Cobb and wife Bonnie, Allison Felps and husband Chris Sr., Enrique Cortes, Jennifer Cortes and Jessi Cortes; great-grandchildren, Abigail and Chris Felps Jr.; six siblings; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents, Claudia Cortes and Saturnio Hernandez. Visitation at Ourso Funeral Home, Gonzales, Friday, Sept. 24, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitation at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Gonzales, Saturday, Sept. 25, from 9 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Entombment in Resthaven Gardens of Memory Mausoleum in Baton Rouge. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.oursofh.com.