Avis de décès de Mary-Vona Gonzales - Nécrologie - MesAieux.com

GONZALES Mary Vona Gonzales, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and Grandmother to Everyone, died August 15, 2010. You couldn't blame them for thinking the song from the 1940's 'I Found My Million Dollar Baby At The Five and Ten Cent Store' was written just for them - after all, Mary Vona was working at Floyd's Five & Dime in Jacksonville Beach, Florida when she met the young soldier from Texas. Walter Gonzales would have to go fight the good fight and come back a multi-decorated war hero. It would take something as big as World War II or as intrusive as death to keep them apart for long. She would continue working and taking care of people until he returned. Because that was Mary's life - working and taking care of people. To work was to live and to live was to work. Whether it was helping her parents or working at Floyd's, you kept going. While you owned and ran the Beaches' seafood market or managed the S&H Green Stamp Store you also had to raise four kids, you had to keep going. As the children left the nest, you continued your businesses at Mrs. G's Laundry and Mrs. G's Nursery because there was always more work to be done and people who needed you, so you just kept going. That's how most people knew them - they were 'Mary & Wally' to their large extended families, 'Grannie & Pop' to their more immediate brood, and 'Mr. & Mrs. G' to the wide world that came to know them. For they never met a stranger and were generous to a fault. If you were having trouble making ends meet, they would extend you credit for your seafood or laundry or mending because they knew you'd be good for it. And, everyone knew Mrs. G was an exceptional seamstress. She sewed all her life and could create outfits from scratch as well as mend anything you brought her. If you had to work and needed to pick up your kids late from the nursery, Mrs. G would wait for you. And, if you were having a tough time you could pay her later - weeks later, months later, even years later, or, unbelievably, maybe not at all - because you have to take care of the children. When other nurseries turned away infants because they were harder and less profitable to handle, Mrs. G would take them in, care for them and feed them as if they were all her own. It was magical how she could produce huge meals from seemingly nothing. Where other day-care might provide crackers, at Mrs. G's kids got roast beef and potatoes and greens and salad - no one left Mrs. G's table hungry. That was a big part of Mary's nature - she had to take care of others. She took care of everyone - husband, kids, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family. Taking care of others was keeping her young. Even in her 80's it didn't faze her to drive across the state alone, if necessary, to visit or console an ailing sister-in-law. She commented occasionally on the aches and pains, but that was just part of living a long life, just something you dealt with. That is, until the pain finally knocked her down and she couldn't get up. The doctors ascribed it to old age as well until they found the cancer that had completely replaced three of her vertebrae. It was a miracle she was able to function as long as she did, but those Vona's are a tough breed. Despite her excruciating suffering she stayed off the pain medications for a day so she would be clear headed when her eldest son came to see her. True to form, her first words to him were 'Wow! You've really gotten gray'. And, as her four children stood weeping around her bed she told them '87-years - that's a good long time'. Eight-seven years is a good long time, but still too short for those of us left behind. And, now, though they were never really apart, Mr. and Mrs. G are truly together again. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 21, 2010 in St. Paul's Catholic Church, 224 N. 5th St., Jacksonville Beach, with Reverend Jose Kallukalam as Celebrant. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Grannie's name to your favorite charity. Please visit our online Tribute at www.quinn-shalz.com . Services under the direction and care of: Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com