Aurora Gonzales

Aurora “Mamo” Gonzales, 88 a longtime Fort Sumner resident died Wednesday, March 28, 2001 in the De Baca General Hospital following an extended illness. Mrs. Gonzales was born November 22, 1912 at La Tuzas, near Vaughn, NM to the home of Jose Reyes Madrid and the former Dolores Troncosa. She was reared and attended school at Vaughn. Aurora married Rumaldo Gonzales in Fort Sumner in December 1930. The celebrated their 70th anniversary this past year. Aurora worked at a commercial laundry in Fort Sumner for several years. Aurora along with her family owned and operated Tito’s Café in Fort Sumner from 1965 until 1988. She was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner where she served as Mayordomo and a member of the Sacred Heart Society. Aurora was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister who was always there for her family, especially her grandchildren. Aurora loved to travel; she and Rumaldo would frequently leave on short trips to visit family and friends. She was preceded in death by a grandson Ramon Casaus; one brother Santos Madrid, and two sisters Emilia Sandoval and Juanita Segura. Survivors include her husband of 70 years, Rumaldo Gonzales; a daughter Corine Casaus; three sons Arturo Gonzales and wife Dolores; Demetrio ‘Tony’ Gonzales and wife Corina; and Tito Gonzales all of Fort Sumner. Also surviving are 19 Grandchildren, 47 Great-grandchildren, and 17 Great-Great Grandchildren; five sisters Domitilia Madrid of El Paso, Texas; Maria Madrid of Clovis; Julia Van Kirk of Alameda, CA; Lita Gonzales of Clovis; and Louisa Lopez of Denver, Colorado. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Rosary services will be held at 7:00 P.M. Saturday; March 31, 2001 from the Chavez Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Sumner; a second rosary will be held at 7:00 P.M. Sunday; April 1, 2001 from St. Anthony Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M., Monday, April 2, 2001 from St. Anthony Parish with Father Stephen Schultz officiating. Burial will follow at St. Anthony Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Aurora’s Granddaughters, Geneva Gonzales, Theresa Bauman, Diane Lopez, Rose Hernandez, Geraldine Sena, Tina Gonzales, Maria Gauna, and Anna Props. Honorary bearers will be all her remaining grandchildren and many friends. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home in Fort Sumner, New Mexico.