She was preceded in death by her parents, Rafael Gonzales and Anita Quintero as well as her stepfather, Guadalupe Quintero, her siblings, Soveida Leal (Harlingen, TX), Thomas Quintero (Sinton, TX), Cruz Quintero (Sinton, TX) and her husband of 19 years, Felix Del Toro (CW2).
Celia leaves behind a daughter, Belinda Cross (Gallup, NM), a son, Robert (Sarah) Del Toro (Lynnhaven, FL) and a granddaughter, Lauren Del Toro. She also leaves two sisters; Elogia Sanchez (Houston, TX), Mary Susie Segovia (Sinton, TX) and a brother, Adrian Quintero (Sinton, TX). This is in addition to her many nieces and nephews.
Celia was always keeping busy and occupied herself with various activities. She enjoyed the art of crocheting everything from sophisticated doilies in the shape of animals that could stand up on their own to dining room tablecloths and blankets. She also completed embroidery items and was especially good at sewing. Celia made some of her children’s clothes as well as her own formal wear for military functions and often used the scraps to sew clothes for her daughter’s Barbie doll. She enjoyed flower arranging and cake decorating for family occasions.
Celia would love to go shopping, enjoyed spending time in casinos and traveling. Since she wore a size 4 ½ shoe, it was like an adventure for her to look for shoes for all types of activities and when discovered, it was as she had found a treasure. When traveling to different countries, she wanted to meet with the locals and talk about their day, not really wanting to be a tourist. On her trip to Italy, she said that she really wasn’t interested in seeing old buildings or statues built by people who were long gone. She wanted to know about today’s people.
Most importantly, she enjoyed walking and was a wonderful dancer. For having such small feet, she could walk so fast that everyone was always working to catch up with her. Celia would often enter dance contests when younger and was never one to be seated if there was any type of dancing to be done. She could dance with any partner and make them look good.
Celia did all this while keeping an immaculate home and raising two children as a military wife which involved multiple moves, keeping to a budget and making a new home in different parts of the world including Germany and Bolivia. All while she was dealing with her own personal long term struggles, especially after her husband, Felix, passed away.
The family would like to thank those who helped her including, Peter Chorak (deceased) and Colleen Chorak who were there for her.
Celia, beloved wife, mother, sister and grandmother will be missed every day. You are forever in our hearts. Go now and be with Dad forever in God’s loving care.
