Grace Gonzales

Grace was born on March 10, 1934 in Redlands, CA, where her father was studying at the San Francisco Theological Seminary. She was the fifth daughter of Ezequiel Jaramillo and Gladys (Crouch) Jaramillo. Her siblings were older sisters Erminda, Emilia, Tila and Sylvia, and younger brother Daniel.

The family relocated to Chacon, New Mexico, where her father served as a Presbyterian minister. Grace attended the Allison-James School in Santa Fe and graduated from Menaul High School in Albuquerque. These were boarding schools affiliated with the Presbyterian Church serving primarily Hispanic boys and girls from Northern New Mexico.

Grace met her future husband Eduardo Gonzales at Menaul. They were married in 1955 and had four children- Daniel, Rebecca, Robert and Ramona. Eduardo was an Army officer and his career required frequent relocations and long periods of separation from the family. Grace raised her children on Army posts in Washington, California, Georgia, Texas, Germany and Panama. They eventually settled in Oregon City, while Eduardo served two tours of duty in Vietnam. Grace was a very strong, gently stubborn, resilient person who bounced back from the difficulties this life threw at her.

Grace and Eduardo remained married until Eduardo died in 1997. Grace then traveled on her own and lived for a while in Escazu, Costa Rica. In 2001, she moved to Taos, New Mexico where she owned and operated a restaurant called Magic Circle Bagels. Grace returned to Oregon in 2011 and lived the rest of her life in Happy Valley at the home of her son Daniel.

Grace was sociable and kind-hearted. While raising her children, she welcomed their friends into her life and made her home the place they wanted to be. Some called her “mom” and eventually had children of their own who would call her “grandma Grace.”

Her children fondly remember the twinkle in her eyes, her impish sense of humor, and her fearless determination. She was clever and resourceful and had an excellent sense of style. She was skilled at knitting, quilting and making felt hats. She enjoyed cooking and gardening and loved animals. Grace enjoyed social gatherings and was grateful to her dear friends at Urban Excursions, a service providing social outings for homebound seniors.

Grace was preceded in death by her husband Eduardo, their daughter Ramona, and her sisters Emilia and Tila. She is survived by her sons Dan and Bob, her daughter Becky and grandchildren Matthew, Nick, Alex, Myles and Antonio. She will also be remembered by Bob’s wife Lisa, Ramona’s husband Mike, numerous nieces and nephews, her remaining siblings and their families, and many friends whose lives she touched.

Grace will be privately laid to rest with Eduardo at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland.

The family would be grateful for donations in Grace’s name to a charity of the donor’s choice.