Mercedes Lugo Gonzales

Mercedes Lugo Gonzales died peacefully in Austin, Texas in her daughter’s home on July 18, 2018. She was dedicated to her family, with a deep and abiding faith in God, and beloved by friends and family alike.

As the last of the 12 children of Gabriel Lugo and Blasita Anzaldua Lugo, Mercedes was born July 26, 1936 on a farm in the community of Lantana between Rio Hondo and San Benito, TX. Mercedes was an elegant beauty, who excelled academically and athletically. As fate would have it, Mercedes left school at age 15 to start working in order to support her parents.

In December of 1963, she married the love of her life, Conrado Gonzales. After the birth of her children, she earned her GED, and later her Associate’s Degree in Education from Texas Southmost College in Brownsville, TX. She was accepted to the University of Texas in Austin in December 1981, but her family and work obligations prevented her from attending the University.

Over the years, Mercedes was a valued colleague who worked successfully in many different roles at several banks in Harlingen, Weslaco, and Austin. She also worked as a Teacher’s Assistant for two years. Mercedes placed a priority on education and was proud that both of her children graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and established careers as public school educators. Even with all of her the time and effort she put forth on behalf of her family and work, she found time to serve as a Eucharistic Minister and serve as an Officer with the Catholic Daughters of America.

Mercedes believed that meeting her in Heaven would be her husband, parents, along with her brothers and sisters: Fermin Lugo, Louisa Lugo Gonzalez, Josepha Lugo Garza, Catarina Lugo Gonzales, Reynaldo Lugo, Sophia Lugo Martinez, Estefena Lugo Sauceda, Salvador Lugo, Gabriel Lugo, Rogerio Lugo, and Blanche Lugo Garcia.

She is survived by her loving family that includes her children Anna Gonzales-Foyt (David) and Conrado Gonzales Jr.; five grand-children whom she adored, Esteban Gonzales (University of Arkansas), Olivia Gonzales (UT-Austin), Isaac Gonzales (Anderson HS), Kellen Foyt (UT-Austin), Sara Foyt (Reagan HS); and one great-grandchild, Grayson. She is also survived by cherished nieces, nephews, and other family and friends too numerous to name here.

The family would like to thank her dear niece, Mary Lugo Richards, along with her husband, Gary and son, Nathaniel for their efforts in moving Mercedes and Conrado to Austin in November 2016, and to Dr. Jose R. Garcia for the loving care he provided from that time forward, as well as the staff at New Century Hospice for their care and support.

A Rosary will recite at 1:00pm on Sunday, July 22, 2018 followed by the visitation with the family from 2:00-5:00pm at Cook Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Blvd, Austin, Texas 78752.

A Funeral Mass is scheduled for Monday, July 23, 2018 at 1:00pm at St. Louis King of France Catholic Church, 7601 Burnet Road, Austin, Texas. Interment to follow in Assumption Cemetery in Austin, Texas at 2:30pm.

A memorial mass for both Mercedes and Conrado will be planned in the near future in Harlingen, TX.

To share condolences with the family, please visit www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.