Margarita Josephine Gonzales

Margarita Josephine Gonzales

September 27, 1936 – March 8, 2026

Margarita Josephine Gonzales, age 89, passed away peacefully on March 8, 2026, while listening to gospel music. She was born on September 27, 1936, in Boulder, Colorado, and most recently resided in Castle Rock, Colorado.

Margarita was a beloved, devoted, and loyal presence in the lives of all who knew her. She was kind-hearted and gentle in spirit, inspirational in her faith, selfless in her service, resilient through life’s challenges, and thoughtful in the care she showed to others. She was the daughter of Rosario and Damas Salazar and one of nine children. She attended West High School in Denver, where her early years helped shape the strength and determination she carried throughout her life.

She was the proud mother of five children: John, Yvonne, Julie, Dean, and Sherrie. Her legacy continued through her 14 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, each of whom was touched by her unwavering love, wisdom, and quiet strength.

A woman deeply devoted to her faith, Margarita found comfort and purpose in reading the Bible and in prayer. She cherished time spent with her family and in church, most recently attending Landmark Tabernacle. Her faith was not only something she believed—it was something she lived daily through service, including helping with the food pantry.

Margarita’s life was one of enduring devotion and powerful example. She instilled a strong work ethic in her family and carried a deep desire to see each of them walk with God. Her presence was steady, her love unconditional, and her impact immeasurable. She will be remembered with deep gratitude and respect, and she will be profoundly missed.

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A Tribute from Her Daughter, Sherrie

My mother wasn’t just the heart of our family—she was our matriarch, our strength, and the one who held us all together. She had the most loving, selfless heart, always thinking of others before herself. No matter what she was going through, she made sure the people she loved felt cared for, comforted, and never alone.

She was a true pillar in our lives—strong, nurturing, and full of unconditional love. The kind of mother whose presence made everything feel safe and whole. Her love and faith shaped who we are today, and that love will live on in each of us forever.

She will always be cherished, always remembered, and missed more deeply than words can express. Our hearts will carry her with us every single day. There is comfort in knowing she is walking with Jesus and reunited with precious family and friends who have gone before her.

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A Tribute from Her Grandson, David Jr.

It is with a heavy and broken heart that I share my Grandma has passed. I am heartbroken, sad, and even angry—it feels like a huge part of me is gone forever.

But even through the pain, there is joy when I think about the time we shared. Listening to your wisdom—always delivered with that signature, honest truth—helped shape me into who I am today. You taught me, challenged me, and loved me fiercely.

This world feels a little colder without you in it, but heaven gained one of its very best. I will miss you every single day for the rest of my life. I love you so much, Grandma.

~

A Tribute from Her Son-in-Law, David Abeyta Sr.

I write this with a heavy heart, yet with a steady and grounded hope—one rooted in the Word of God.

When it comes to my mother-in-law, whom I knew as Sister Mitzi, I truly feel this loss deeply. Her passing will stay with me for the rest of my life, and I will never forget her.

I still remember when I first met her. At the time, Sherrie was my girlfriend, and she brought me to meet her mother. There were no cell phones back then, so I’m sure I arrived unexpectedly. I remember a funny moment that made us all laugh, and from that day on, we shared many more.

Over the nearly 37 years I knew her, Sister Mitzi supported me with prayer, encouragement, and honest guidance when I needed it. She would give her last dollar to help someone. I remember when I was young and struggling—she helped me fix my car, and she even paid for Sherrie’s and my wedding. She was a true giver in every sense.

Many people are praised after they pass, but anyone who knew Mitzi knows she didn’t need to be placed on a pedestal—she already lived there. She was genuine, loving, and generous. She loved her family deeply, especially her grandchildren.

I truly believe she had a ministry within her family—praying for them, encouraging them to seek God, and living a life that reflected her faith. She was hardworking, dependable, and always showed up when it mattered most.

I find peace in knowing she passed while listening to gospel music. I believe she is with the Lord. While this is a time of sorrow, it is also a time to quietly thank God that she is now at rest.

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From Her Granddaughter, Amberly

My grandma held me as a baby, and her love has been with me my entire life. She passed away at 5:45 p.m. while listening to gospel music at the age of 89. I will carry her with me always.

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A Tribute from her granddaughter, Leah

Put bleach in the dish washer while it’s running, it will disinfect everything.

When you’re sick gargle with peroxide….

When you’re going through one of life’s storms, praise the Lord. He will turn your situation around!

How to make a bed, MILITARY style!

Steamed veggies topped with parmesan cheese.

Fudge, her famous fudge! There is none like it. Not sure there will ever be another to ever measure up to it.

Spearmint Gum, her fav.

Massagers of all kinds-if you had a pain she had a massager for it.

Her kind of instant coffee, what I wouldn’t do to have a cup right now

These are little things that will always be at the forefront of my mind for the rest of my life…little things Ive done on a daily basis, since she taught me how to do them….

My grandmother, grandma Mitzi, is etched into the very fibers of who I am. From the time I was a little girl she has been one of my biggest fans, believing that I could do anything and supporting me however she could.

When I think back on our times together I remember cleaning the “Governors Ranch”; she cleaned, I had fun mostly, but she taught me how to make those vacuum lines! I vacuum my home like that today, I make those vacuum lines in my own cleaning business.

I remember singing to her and my aunt Sherrie in the living room with a hair brush as my microphone; What a Wonderful, Wonderful, Wonderful Lord we have! She loved that song! She chose it for me to sing at church! I told her, grandma I’m scared, she said, when you get scared just look at the wall! Every time I sang a solo from that moment on and through out all my college solos, I looked at the wall!

My grandmother was very selfless. She loved wholly. Her family was her life. I remember shopping with her, my aunt and cousins. Going out to eat at one of her favs, Black Eye Pea. I remember her stealing the lil sauce cups in her to go box- I told her grandma, you can’t take those, she said sshh and put it in her box anyway. Ha! She had a bunch of lil sauce cups at her house!

I remember spending what seemed like weeks on end with her…she always had chewable vitamin C, which I ate like candy when I was there! Ha!

As I got older, and my life changed, I had babies of my own and she loved them too the same way she loved me. Every Sunday she went to church for choir practice, and my babies sat with her. I’m not sure if she just liked going to choir practice to hear us practice or if she went for me, to watch my babies…Now that I think about it, she probably went for both.

There is not enough time to write all of what she meant to me and the impact she made on my life and on my children lives. She had so much love to give and she gave it! My only regret is that my husband and bonus babies didn’t get to know her. They would have loved her, and her them. Now I am left only to share memories of her.

What I find peace in is that she is with her Lord! The lover of her soul. She is no longer in pain, she is happy and healthy, she is whole once again. So until we meet again Grandma, thank you for all you did, everything you were, thank you for everything you will always be to me. I will cherish you always and love you forever .- Leah

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A Tribute from her Grandson, Donovan

One of my memories I will always cherish was when my grandma would come to my house. She would bring food and toys. She would bring food because she wanted to give, she was just that kind of person, and toys because she obviously spoiled me. But spending time with her was always the best. Little sips of her heavily creamed coffee, watching her Spanish stories. And I always remember every time she would leave, it would be in the morning, and I remember at a young age of 8, maybe 9 years old, I challenged myself to wake up early just to hug her goodbye, but she always woke up earlier and I would be sad I didn’t get to hug her.

I enjoyed my time with her because she truly taught me how to worship God. I remember sleeping in her bed next to her and I couldn’t fall asleep, and she told me raise your hand and say hallelujah. And most importantly, she helped and was there when I first spoke in tongues. She was there for a lot of my first experiences and really taught me what I liked and didn’t in terms of food, and gave me values I hold to this day.

I’ll always remember you, grandma, for what you did for my life and many others. I’m reminded of you by even the simplest of things, like a car’s blinker being on for a mile or eating buttered noodles. I love you, grandma, and I hope you’re dancing with Jesus. - Donovan

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A Tribute to her from her grandson, Avery

❤️ to “ My heart is broken over the loss of my grandma. She was more than family—she was my safe place growing up. During my teenage years, I spent weeks at her house several times a month, soaking in her love, her laughter, and her quiet strength. Together we prayed, read the Bible, and felt a warmth and power that only comes from being close to God. Those moments shaped me more than I can say.

I’m devastated—and honestly angry at myself—that the busyness of life pulled me away and kept me from being there in her final moments. I wish I had held her hand one more time, told her face-to-face how much she meant to me. But even in the tears, I’m clinging to the hope that she knows, beyond any doubt, how deeply I love her. I pray she feels it now, fully and forever.

While crying through the grief, I found real peace and even joy in God’s promises. In John 14:1-3, Jesus says: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” And in Revelation 21:4: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

These words remind me that Grandma is now in complete paradise—with Jesus, free from every hurt, every tear wiped away. No more suffering, only perfect joy in His presence. One day, by God’s grace, I’ll see her again. I’ll run to her, hug her tight, and finally tell her everything my heart has been holding: how much I love her, how grateful I am for her faith, her prayers, and her example.

Until then, I carry her with me—her love, her Bible stories, her gentle spirit. I love you, Grandma. Always will. ”  - Avery

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Thanks mom!

Your life taught me many lessons, first and foremost is that you were the first one to introduce me to my faith in Jesus Christ. I remember stories you taught when I was a child and how those bible stories established the foundation for the morals and values I later embraced in life. I am also grateful for the example you set in your own life: I witnessed a life of Fiery-trial and tribulation; much I did not understand, however I saw despite the hurt and pain you experienced, you were longsuffering. You were resilient and pushed through. That lesson has been priceless.

I was not raised with my oldest siblings; however, I know that part of your life was highly painful: many of the particulars surrounding that part of your life are gone with you. I too feel this pain because it has fractured part of my life and theirs. As we often do, we trust in God to work out life when it becomes too big for us. Thanks mom, you taught me about the creator of heaven and earth, I know he has a perfect plan. God is the author and finisher of our faith!

I learned to trust in him and I pray that my kids have learned that from me. Thanks mom, despite all the ups and downs life can offer, your life was an example of both good and bad, and how our Lord Jesus Christ carries us when life becomes bigger than we are. I know that it was your hearts desire that your family come to know the plan of salvation the way the Bible teaches.

As you requested: the way to heaven is Baptism in Jesus name unto repentance. According to the Holy Bible (KJV), the Apostle Peter said, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38) "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:4).

Thanks mom, for your part in directing my steps toward the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Might God, Jesus Christ!

We continue the good fight and one day hope to see you again.

Dean