Leonor Anaya Gonzalez

Leonor Anaya Gonzalez was born in Glendale, Arizona to Jose Mejia Anaya and Mary Eleanor "Vickie" Lopez Anaya on September 15, 1948.

Known as Lonnie to her family and friends, she was one of eight children — all girls: Elisa, Lupe, Josie, Mary Lou, Frances, Esther, and Juanita. Lonnie and her sisters each helped with the family business, El Rey Molino Grocery Store, just south of Downtown Glendale, at an early age. Established before typical convenience stores that started popping up in the 1970s, El Rey Molino was a small neighborhood mainstay offering staples for family meals in addition to snacks and beverages and was a very proud contributor to the community, sponsoring Glendale's annual Las Fiestas Patrias celebrations for several years.

Graduating from Glendale High School in May 1963, Lonnie pursued a career in cosmetology with an emphasis on being a hair stylist. Recruited to take her ample skills to the Hollywood entertainment industry, she chose to remain close to family in Glendale. After a whirlwind courtship with the love of her life, she married Felix Humberto Gonzalez in 1973. Their three children — Jose, Felix Jr., and Carla — were born out of love in 1978, 1984, and 1987, respectfully.

In addition to emphasizing the importance of education and supporting them in following their interests in various sports and arts activities, her kindness and compassion taught them how important it is to care for others, especially when we all need help at some point.

While maintaining her Arizona cosmetology license, Lonnie pivoted to the career field of secondary education. Beginning as a teacher assistant at South Mountain High School, she eventually transitioned to staff support positions as a student and parent liaison, working especially with Spanish-language-speakers both at Alhambra High School and Carl Hayden Community High School. Lonnie continued her education and professional development through several programs offered by the Maricopa Community College system.

As focused on providing for her family as she was, Lonnie also fostered another side of her where she used some of the imaginative fun and games from her childhood with seven other sisters to entertain her kids. She was also an amusing storyteller who could easily recall ridiculous experiences from her life to entertain friends and family. Lastly, Lonnie could wow family parties with her resounding singing voice accompanying many mariachi standards.

In her later years, she spent most of her retirement years, spending time with and taking care of the godmothers of her children, Sarah Johnson and Esther Flores. She also loved spending time with her sisters and going to the movies with her good friend, Isabel Mendez. Finally, Lonnie loved being an abuela to her daughter Carla's kids, Kira and Callan, whether in person or through video chats. They were the sunshine of her life in a way that could brighten any day for her.

A woman who was strong in her faith, Mrs. Gonzalez could often be found attending mass at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Central Phoenix and supporting the community there in various ways. Leaving a gathering with Lonnie in attendance was never complete without her passing along bendiciónes to her loved ones.

Lonnie was preceded in death by her father, Jose; her mother, Vickie; her sisters, Elisa, Lupe, and Frances; beloved members of the Johnson-Flores family, Pete, Sarah, Esther, and Vernon; and loving neighbors who became close friends, Tony and Isabel Mendez.

Lonnie is survived by her husband, Felix Humberto; her sons, Jose (along with wife, Nina Miller) and JR (Felix Jr.); her daughter, Carla and her husband, Derek Lawson, and their children, Kira and Callan, who are Lonnie's cherished grandchildren; and her sisters, Juanita (and her husband, Albert), Mary Lou, Esther, and Josie, plus countless nieces, nephews, and godchildren.

In addition to those mentioned, our family would like to acknowledge and express gratitude to Gonzalo y Isela Rivera, Rigo & Nati Bustamante, the Mendez Family, the Gonzalez Family, and so many more close friends that have sent their love and support during these difficult times.

While Lonnie will be dearly missed by so many, she has left us with countless memories that will live on in our hearts for the rest of our days.