Marylou Gonzalez

A memorial service for Marylou will be held Thursday, November 30, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, TX 78218.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com for the Gonzalez family.

Maria Louisa (Marylou) Piñones Gonzalez went home to the Lord after a lengthy battle with a prolonged illness. She was seventy-one years old when she left us, on November 9, 2023, surrounded by all her loving family, friends, and church family. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Juan Diego Gonzalez, sons, John Steve and wife Krystal, David Gonzalez and wife Veronica, and a total of twelve grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She is also survived by her siblings: Luis Antonio, Raymond, Carlos (wife Sylvia), Fernando (wife Nora), Christina Piñones, and Sandra Harrell (husband Tommy), nineteen nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Luis and María de Refugio Piñones of Nuevo Laredo Tamaulipas, México; and by siblings, sister, Irene Piñones Ewing, and brother Javier Piñones.

Marylou was born in Nuevo Laredo Tamaulipas, México on March 24th, 1952. She graduated from Louis Fox Tech high school where she met her husband, Juan Diego Gonzalez, while attending Fox Tech high school. They soon became “high school sweethearts” and during that romance decided to marry in 1971. Quoting Juan, “Against all odds, Marylou and I began a beautiful lifelong journey together.” Their love brought them to Houston, Texas for the first few years. Both with a good sense for business, Marylou began working at Eagle grocers, as a bookkeeper. Together with Juan, they focused on their plans, hopes, and dreams while raising two rambunctious boys.

Returning home to San Antonio, Marylou concentrated on her family and being a full-time mom to her two boys John Steven and David. With Marylou, God, and family always came first. She made running the family and having a warm and loving home her top priority. Together with Juan, she set goals for raising her kids right, making sure she did all she could to have them succeed in their lives. A loving wife, she supported Juan in every way possible when he went to work for the local Blue Bell Creameries in San Antonio. She was an anchor of strength helping Juan as he rose through the ranks with Blue Bell, and when a managerial opportunity came up, without question, she agreed to leave home, uprooted the kids, and moved to Harlingen Texas, because she knew it was best for her family. Marylou continued as a full-time mom, raising her boys and when they got old enough, she went back to work as a data collector for Information Resources, a marketing firm, putting to use her seasoned business skills. As the boys became young men, they married, and started their own lives and families. Marylou and Juan now found themselves empty nesters.

Mary Lou was a woman of God and family with a caring heart and so much love to give. She has always loved children and decided to share her love of youngsters by sponsoring foster children. With Juan’s support and partnership, she devoted the last twelve plus years of her life to this selfless service. Marylou shared her motherly love, wisdom, and life lessons with these children. Using God’s love and her own set of life skills, she helped guide countless children and improved their situations. Marylou and Juan worked with a Foster Care and Adoption Agency, A World For Children and took in and helped raise seventy-eight foster kids, impacting in a positive way these 78 lives forever. Marylou has made life-long connections with many of these young people who still look to her as their mother and still to this day have remained in contact with her through visits, calls, and various social media.

Marylou was a woman of many talents and left her mark on everything she touched, especially her homes. Each residence they owned had that “rustic” touch about them. Each home had its unique country home décor that set them all apart. She strived for that “feel at home” atmosphere and “cornered the market” on that task. Marylou loved family and family gatherings. With a big heart, and a larger-than-life soul, she welcomed everyone into their homes. With many smiles, hugs, warm greetings, and love for everyone and always lots of food on the table. Thanksgiving was her favorite holiday because it brought the whole family, from all sides together. These gatherings highlighted her cooking and baking skills and abilities. “De puro Corazon” (with all her heart) these family gatherings radiated Marylou’s beliefs and ideals.

Marylou had a great love for music, dancing, swimming, horticulture, “las matas” and was a great lover of clearance sales, especially at Garden Ridge. Marylou loved a wide variety of music genres, from the likes of Fito Olivares, Los Temenarios, Vicente Fernandez, Juan Gabriel, the Oldies, Gospel and so much more; this music was always emanating from inside the house. Marylou also had a love for traveling. She traveled to Macon, Georgia one time, on a whim. She said that one day, “I would like to go to Hawaii. Could I have… one more adventure?”

With the passing of her parents, Marylou stepped up and became the glue that held the family together for her siblings. Being the “Mom” again, was a big responsibility, she kept her siblings on the straight and narrow path. Marylou strived to keep the family as one. It was her strong faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, which was instrumental in driving her life. She was a real “prayer warrior” …we were all glad to have her on our side. These beliefs and faith helped her be deep rooted and drew her and the sisters together, forming a strong bond. Holding each other up in difficult and happy times, making them all strong in faith. They will carry this on, in their hearts.

One must admire and congratulate Marylou and Juan for such a faith filled, loving, and sharing relationship of fifty-two years. They survived and overcame most of life’s obstacles together, whatever The Almighty placed in their paths, they were able to navigate, through their love for one another. Marylou has touched many a person’s soul, and we were fortunate to have had her in our lives. He (Our Lord) collects all the good ones they say... Marylou will be loved and remain in our hearts and memories. May her soul rest in peace and the perpetual light shine upon her.