OUR MAMA

Marina Gonzalez was born in Nicaragua, Central America to Lorenzo Aburto and

Josefa Gregoria Ruiz Mena on July 19th 1941. She passed on into eternity at 6:15am on July 12, 2023 at home with loved ones present in Morgan Hill California . She almost made it to her 82nd birthday.  She did not look to be in her 80's and was complimented on a regular basis on having beautiful and ageless skin.

Our mom, was a wonderful wife to Gilberto J. Gonzalez, married 50 years until his passing in 2010, a loving Mother to daughter, Samanda Gonzalez-Galvan and son, Gilbert Gonzalez, and the sweetest Nana to our kids, Selena, Sarah, and Anthony.  Nana and Papa helped us care for our children when they were little ones and we are grateful they were able to bless us in this way. She was a friend to many and a loving, caring human being. In fact, Gilbert's s friends and mine would endearingly call her "mom".  No one passed by her without saying "Hi Mom".

Our parents were small business owners. They retired in the year 2000 and moved to Morgan Hill to be near us. Mom helped run the refrigeration business, 2 Liquor stores, and a Dairy Belle Freeze restaurant. Their example encouraged us to start our own businesses.  She would help Gilbert at catering events and Samanda with paperwork sorting.

She loved her family in Nicaragua and continued to fly out to visit after our father passed in 2010.

She would have prayer vigils at "Quinta Marina", in my fathers name and on the last day of prayer she and her sisters, family and friends  would cook huge amounts of food to hand out to the poor and neighborhood people.  She would even send our cousins into the poorest areas to give out bags of rice, beans and sugar. God Bless our family. God Bless Nicaragua.

Mom never forgot her roots as far a food goes. She would regularly make traditional foods like Gallo-Pinto, Bajó, vigorón, Maduro frito with fried cheese, and the most delicious "Nacatamales".  We were actually able to make some Nacatamales with her early this year.  What a blessing that was!

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for the time you gave us with our precious mother and for all the wonderful memories we have of her to treasure.  She believed in you Lord and kept her faith strong even in the most difficult struggles in her life.

**Glory to God in the highest**

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Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18