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Zelma Gonzales did it her way

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Contributed by: Marcelo Duran on 9/14/2006

There are few people in this world that have the power to touch so many hearts and souls with just a laugh and a bit of conversation, but Zelma Gonzales was one of them.

Zelma Gonzales, family matriarch, died Monday, Sept.11 of cancer. She succumbed to leukemia surrounded by family and loved ones at her home. She was 86.

She will be remembered for her intellect, sharp wit and straight forwardness. She made sure that everyone knew what was on her mind, for better or worse.

She was born June 18, 1920 in Trinidad, Colo., to Frank and Esther Fresques. The oldest of six she had to become a second mother to her siblings during the Great Depression.

She learned to speak Spanish from her grandmother Libradita Gonzales at a very young age and carried so many other life skills that she used throughout her life.
She married Cipriano Gonzales and had two children, Marlene Duran and Francis Gonzales. She adopted two more, Cindy Romero and Fred Gonzales, after her sister passed away suddenly.

She moved to Denver with her family in 1948 with her youngest sister Anna. Zelma's husband worked at the Gates Rubber Factory, giving their children the opportunity to attend Catholic school.

She spent much of her early life as a housewife but went to work after her husband died in 1962 to care for her stepchildren.

She spent 17 years at the May department store and contributed to the company newsletter and also earned a spot on the bowling team. After leaving the May Co., she spent 15 years at the Colorado Department of Human Services as a technician. She finally retired in 1989 and spent the rest of her life caring for family and volunteering.
She spent many hours helping at the Volunteers of America Sunset Park apartment for nearly eight years. She loved to go to the weekly bingo session downstairs or the dance on Thursdays. She mailed birthday cards for people in her building for the VOA. She also crocheted blankets for the elderly and made calls to seniors making sure they were doing okay.

Zelma recalled many great memories during one of America's darkest periods of history.

Her father was jack-of-all-trades working as a fire fighter and truck driver for Las Animas County and her mother stayed at home to care for her six children with Zelma assisting the best she could.

Throughout her life Zelma picked up a number of hobbies and interests and mastered any expression of art with ease. She enjoyed crocheting, scrap booking, bowling, fishing, watching golf and tennis. She knew more about professional golfers and tennis players than most commentators.

She enjoyed gambling, playing cards or the slot machines. Her favorite memories included trips to Las Vegas or playing bingo.

She also watched 9News religiously and had a nickname for each anchor or reporter. She would also comment on how she was going to call Kathy Sabine and tell her that her hair was driving her crazy.

She is survived by her sons, Francis C. Gonzales and Fred Gonzales; daughter, Cynthia Romero; grandchildren, Lisa Gonzales, Frank Gonzales, Lynn Terrones-Aguilar, Ana Lucero, Patrick Gonzales and Marcelo Duran; sisters, Marie Fresques and Anna Martinez; 23 great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren and numerous family members.

Although she has lived in Denver most of her life, her heart belonged to Trinidad. And now her soul has traveled home.

Services for Zelma will be on Tuesday Sept. 19 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church at 1 p.m.

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Submitted By: Eric Lubbers

posted on 9/14/2006 @ 2:43:40 PM

Rated Story

This is a great and moving tribute to a woman who sounds like a wonderful lady. Good work.

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Marcelo Duran

Denver , CO

Marcelo Duran has posted 6 stories and 0 comments since joining on 9/14/2005. Marcelo Duran's average story rating is 5.

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