Carmelita Gonzales Aquino

Carmelita Gonzales Aquino, age 85, of Las Vegas, Nevada, passed away on October 21, 2025, at her residence. Carmelita was born on May 23, 1940, in the small village of Coliling, San Carlos (Pangasinan Province) Philippines. She was the beloved daughter of Narciso and Maria Paz Gonzales.

In her early life, Carmelita met Ruben V. Aquino, Sr. and during their teenage years married on May 7, 1957 in the Philippines. Soon after their marriage ceremony, Ruben left his bride to pursue a life in the United States with the promise to “call” for his beloved Carmelita to join him.

In July of 1957, Ruben traveled aboard the passenger ship SS President Cleveland to Hawaii and eventually arrived at the ship’s home port in San Francisco, California. Ruben made his way to Las Vegas, Nevada where he gained employment at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino (He later transferred to the Las Vegas Hilton where he spent over 35 years working in the gaming hospitality industry.)

Ruben became a naturalized citizen on September 30, 1963 and immediately filed petition documents to bring Carmelita to Las Vegas. In the spring of 1964, Carmelita joined her husband to begin their lives together.

Carmelita gave birth to twin girls but unfortunately one did not survive childbirth. In all, Carmelita and Ruben had five (5) children and raised them in Las Vegas. Carmelita was a devoted wife and mother. She made sure her children were well cared for each and every day. Besides being a dedicated wife and carrying out her motherly duties, Carmelita eventually obtained full-time employment and contributed to the prosperity of her family. Carmelita worked in the gaming hospitality industry from 1972 to 2007 and retired with 35 years of membership service with the Culinary Workers Union Local 226. All of her employment years were with the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino.

Because of her commitment to family and a strong work ethic, both Carmelita and Ruben were able to fulfill their dreams and send all their children to college to earn four-year degrees.

Besides caring for her family and working, Carmelita enjoyed cooking traditional Filipino foods and desserts. She was especially fond of her rose garden and always had fresh flowers in the home.

In her retirement years, Carmelita focused her attention on her adult children and their families. She was a very proud mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Carmelita never re-married and remained devoted and loved Ruben up to the very end of their “love story”.

Carmelita is survived and missed by her loving children, Ruby (Breese Burnley), Ruben Jr. (Dr. April Neumann), Carolyn (Mark Gregory), Robert (Lisa Aquino), and Nancy (Peter Scanlon).

She is forever cherished and remembered by her nine (9) grandchildren, Landon Burnley, Perris Burnley, Lauren Aquino, Isabelle Aquino, Chase Betterton, Lincoln Aquino (Dani Dennis, fiancé), Sophia Aquino, Diego Scanlon, Santino Scanlon; and Levi Aquino (great grandchild). She is also survived by her siblings, Narciso Q. Gonzales, Jr. and Salvador Q. Gonzales.

Carmelita’s memory lives on with her closest and dearest friends of over 60 years, Mrs. Rosario Lopez and Mrs. Ludi Espinosa Canta.

Carmelita was predeceased by her husband, Ruben V. Aquino Sr., daughter, Angel Aquino, her father Narciso T. Gonzales, her mother, Maria Paz Gonzales; and brothers Benjamin Q. Gonzales, Abelardo Q. Gonzales, Ricardo Q. Gonzales, and Rodolfo Q. Gonzales.

A memorial service will take place on Friday, November 14, 2025, beginning with a 10:00 a.m. mass at Holy Family Catholic Church, 490 S. Mountain Vista, LVN 89121. Public visitation will be held at Palm Mortuary at 1325 N. Main Street, LVN 89101 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and immediately followed by a private viewing. Interment Service will begin at 3:00 p.m.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions in her memory may be made to St. Anne Catholic Church, 1901 S. Maryland Pkwy, LVN 89104 or Holy Family Catholic Church, 4490 S. Mountain Vista St., LVN 89121.