Lucia O Gonzales

Known to all as Lucy, she was born in San Antonio, Texas on December 13, 1931, and was the fourth of five children born to Jose and Cecilia Gomez. She grew up in Michigan where she met and married the love of her life, Rojelio “Rocky” Gonzales. They married at the age of eighteen and had seven daughters. They were married for 40 years until his death on May 30, 1989.

She was employed by Lansing General Hospital for 37 years. After retirement, she worked odd jobs until she began volunteering at Lyons Elementary School where she provided educational support for a Kindergarten class. She was subsequently hired by the Lansing School District as a Lunch Aide and for 14 years was known as “Grandma Lucy” to 100’s of children through the Foster Grandparent Program. She loved selflessly, gave generously, touching countless lives; she truly will be missed by all. She was a devout Catholic and member of St. Mary’s Cathedral. She loved the Detroit Tigers and rode the wave at Tiger Stadium with the 1984 World Series champions. She never missed a televised game and would cheer them on through every inning whether they were winning or losing! She loved to play Bingo and for years would drive her friends to different Bingo games in the city. She enjoyed overnight bus trips with other seniors to various casinos in Michigan where she would play bingo and slot machines. She also treasured her beloved cat, “Puff,” who was her constant companion for 21 years.

She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and husband Rocky, and daughter Theresa. She is survived by her daughters Alice (Mike) Ellis, Gloria, Rebecca (Carl) Sims, Linda (Freeman) Nesbitt, Pamela, and Laura Gonzales, 16 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 1 great granddaughter, sisters-in-law, Martha (Domingo) Villegas and Ruth Mae (George) Gomez, also many nieces and nephews and a host of friends who loved her dearly.

The Visitation will be held Monday, July 8, 2024, from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, with the Rosary being prayed at 6:00 PM at Gorsline-Runciman Tiffany Chapel, located at 3232 W. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48917. The Funeral Mass celebrating her life will be held Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 219 Seymour Ave., Lansing, MI 48933, with Reverend Father Karl Pung officiating. Visitation begins at 9:00 AM and the Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM. Burial will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, 2520 W. Willow St., Lansing, immediately after the Mass. A repast luncheon will be held at St. Mary’s Cathedral.