Noemi Gonzalez

She married Gaspar Gonzalez and they had four children, Narciso, Gaspar II, Jose Antonio

and Margaret. She saved her two oldest sons from communist Cuba during the infamous

Missiles of October and her young boys were part of Operation Peter Pan exodus to the

United States. Upon arriving in the United States in January 1966, Noemi and Gaspar worked very hard

and were determined to do well for their family. Noemi eventually became an Environmental

Supervisor at Illinois Masonic Medical Center. She worked for 26 years and retired with multiple

awards and was esteemed highly by her co-workers and the hospital. She helped many people in

her role at IMMC and many of her former employees and colleagues got the opportunity to thank

her during her last days. In 1976, she was crowned Obatala in the Bronx, New York, by her padrino’s, Jose Agustin Mila and Amada Galop. She was devoted to her faith and was always a child of God and Jesus Christ. She possessed gifts in spirituality and healing and she helped many people during her life, with her incredible faith founded in all that was good & just. In her “retirement”, Noemi began to evolve her interest in business and real estate - she was a true ‘self-made woman’. Working hard, with integrity and honor, Noemi was an independent woman with enormous character and superb reputation. She was known for her sparkling personality, infectious laugh, beautiful figure, beaming smile, keen intellect, love of life, love of food and travel and most of all, for her kind heart. In 1999, she moved to Miami and began a new chapter of her life in her beloved tropical environment that reminded her of her native Cuba; and she flourished in all aspects of life. She was a dog lover and she loved and cared for: Blanqui, Napoleon, Titan, Pepito and her beloved Princess; in addition to her enormous tortoise, Rosie. In 2014, Noemi returned to Chicago, to be closer to her family and she regained the love she had for her adopted city; she loved to take car rides to see all the great architecture, beautiful parks and streets. Noemi was loved and adored by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Her loving contributions to their lives will have a legacy that will last forever. Her family will deeply miss their leader and they are forever grateful for having her in their lives. She has left an indelible impression on each and every member of her family … without her, nothing was possible. May she be blessed by God and Christ and her faith in Obatala and Orula be made complete - her mission on this earth was accomplished. She is reunited with her parents, sisters and brother and Gaspar in Heaven. And she always said, “This is The Life.” - whether things went right or wrong … and she was correct.

We will always love and miss you, our beloved Mima.

May you Rest in Peace. Maferefun La Ocha.

Luz, Paz and Tranquilidad siempre para tu espiritu.