Mercedes was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico on September 24, 1921 and moved to New York City at the age of 7 with her parents and 2 older brothers. She graduated from Julia Richman High School in 1942 and went on to the the Latin American Institute to study International Trade. She then went on to work in the Import/Export business, married Al Gonzales on September 28, 1946, and continued working until the birth of her third child in 1956
Mercedes was barely 5' tall and had to wear 4" heels for her wedding in an effort to avoid the image of "Mutt & Jeff" next to her husband's 6'4" frame. It didn't matter, however, she always claimed that in her house she was 10' tall. Al predeceased her in 1996 just 6 days before their 50th wedding anniversary
Mercedes was an excellent cook, kept an immaculate house and was a stickler for proper manners. She had a beautiful professionally trained soprano voice and was often heard on the radio in the thirties. Her children enjoyed it in lullabies at night.
Mercedes is survived by her three children: Geri Gonzales Eckert of Los Angeles, Al Gonzales of Islamorada,Fl, her devoted youngest child and caregiver, Elaine Gonzales of Los Angeles; her granddaughters, Lauren Eckert Myers and Alison Eckert Foley; and her four great grandchildren; Lily, Bella, Deirdre and Declan
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