Celia Juanita De La O

Our beloved Mom, Celia J. Gonzales De La O, beloved wife of Frank B. De La O (deceased), entered the Kingdom of God on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, from anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. She was surrounded by her children and many loved ones. She was 88 years young. She is now in Heaven with her husband, Frank B., of 61 years, her sons, Lawrence and David, her Grandson-in-law, David Delgadillo, her parents, Pilar Madrid Gonzales and Lorenzo A. Gonzales, her brothers, Joseph (Delores) and Orlando (Sophie), Augustin, sisters-in-law Sally Gonzales, Ann Gonzales, and Lupe De La O, Frank’s brothers, Ramos, Albert (Carmen), sisters, Priscilla Lucero, and Ursinia Hernandez (Tony).

Celia is survived by her brother Edmund Gonzales, her sister-in-law Julia Wilson, her brother-in-law Roger De La O (Racheal), her four children Frank (Betty), their sons Ryan and Sam, Viola (Tony Kilwein) and their children Larissa Herrmann (Tyler), Katie (Zach Van Hook), and Jonathan, Elaine Neff (Tom) their children Cory (Wendy Savoy) and Michael (Emily), Robert (Lisa), her daughter-in-law Lisa Ann De La O and her children Kristina Delgadillo and her daughter Mikaela, Jennifer Trejo (Michael), Alicia (Macario Alvarez), Jessica Henson (Mark), Arianna (Martin Cruz) and their son Martin Alexander III, Marina Annelisa, Aaliyah Monique, and David Anthony Jr.

Celia was born June 24, 1935, in Tucumcari, New Mexico, and lived on their family ranch. In 1946, after her father passed away, the family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico.  She graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1953.

Her first job was with Baatan Memorial Hospital for the summer at the age of 16 as a cafeteria employee. She then worked as a secretarial typist for Ward Hicks Advertising Agency.

On May 29, 1954, she married Frank B. De La O in Albuquerque.  They moved to California in 1955. There, she worked as a Statistical Clerk for California Central Airlines in Burbank until 1959.  She quit her job to raise her family.  They were blessed with six children, Frank, Lawrence, David, Viola, Elaine, and Robert between 1959 and 1969.

She returned to work in 1976 for the United States Postal Service until 1988.  For eight of those years she worked in Personnel.  She then got a job as an office clerk for Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). She retired in 1992. She later returned to LAUSD as a substitute clerk and once again retired in 2006.

She was not a person to sit still and was always busy. She loved making clothing for her family and herself.  She enjoyed all kinds of crafts including making porcelain dolls, eggshell decorating, and so many others. In later years, she took up family genealogy research and writing her family stories.  She was also a very independent woman and never liked asking for help. She believed if someone else could do it, so could she.

She had many other interests. In 2007, she joined a Memoir Writing Class called Wilkinson’s Author Group (WAGS). This gave her so much pleasure. She published three books. In 2015 she joined a guitar class. Her classes brought so much joy to her life. She was so proud of the things she accomplished at her age.

We thank God for such a wonderful Mom. She was our rock.  She showed kindness to anyone who was fortunate enough to come across her path in life. She had an amazing gift for making everyone feel loved, special, and important. With her Love, we are bound forever.

A Rosary will be recited Friday, July 28, 2023 at 5:30 PM at Daniels Family Funeral Services, 3113 Carlisle Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM. Interment will be take place at a later date at San Fernando Mission, Mission Hills, CA.

Daniels Family Funeral Services

3113 Carlisle Blvd NE

Albuquerque, NM 87110

505-884-1188