Eduvigis Santos Gonzales

Eduvigis “Edi” Santos Gonzales was born on October 17, 1929 in Pateros, a town in the province of Rizal near Manila, Philippines. She was the second child of Rufino and Trinidad Santos. She had two sisters, Ester and Sylvia and three brothers, Junior, Boni, and Domeng. Growing as a child, Edi and her family were subjected to difficult times during the World War II Japanese occupation because of the town’s proximity to the war zone at Ft. McKinley, also known today as Ft. Bonifacio.

Edi received her Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering at the National University in 1951. It was during these days that she met her husband, Bert Gonzales. After receiving the Chemical Engineering license, Edi enjoyed her career as an Analytical Chemist at the National Institute of Science and Technology in Manila. She traveled around Europe during her fellowship studies on Advanced Chemical Thermodynamics at the Technical University of Norway in Trondheim in 1970. It was at this university where she invented the expansion of perlite (volcanic rock) for light weight aggregate. She then received her Master’s Degree in Chemistry in Adamson University in 1972.

Edi and Bert were married in 1954, had four children, Eudora, Brenda, Elinor and Toby, had six grandchildren, Jonathan, Bernard, Jennifer, Jimmy, Brian and Beaux, had three sons-in-law, Paul, Donnie, and Jim and one daughter-in-law Beth. She trusted Christ as her Savior and passed away on April 13, 2017. She will always be remembered as a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. As Edi is now enjoying her place in heaven with Christ, she will truly be missed and will always have a special place in our hearts.

Viewing starts on Saturday April 22 at 10am followed by a Celebration of Life at 11am at the National Funeral Home, 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday April 24 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 3305 Glen Carlyn Rd, Falls Church, VA at 10am with interment services to follow.

In lieu of flowers, thoughtful donations may be made in her memory to St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church.