Patricia Viola (Herrera) Gonzales "Patsy"

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mom, gramma, Nana, and friend, Patricia “Patsy” Gonzales, on January 7, 2025, at the age of 82. Patsy departed this life surrounded by family and loved ones at Spanish Trails Rehabilitation Suites after a heartbreaking period of physical and mental decline inflicted by a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. 

 Born on July 30, 1942, in Polvadera, NM, Patsy was the cherished daughter of Ezekiel and Isabel Herrera, along with her step-mother Maggie Herrera. She grew up in Albuquerque but spent must of her time in Polvadera, NM with her beloved Grampa Joe, Gramma Genoveva and her aunts and uncles who treated her as one of their own.

After attending Socorro High School Patsy and former husband, David Gonzales relocated to California where they raised their 4 children. Eventually, they moved to New Mexico, where Patsy spent the remainder of her life surrounded by family and the community she loved. 

Patsy will always be remembered for her warmth, kindness and compassion. Her welcoming smile greeted countless customers during her years working at the Golden Manor and Vagabond restaurants. Patsy never met a stranger, always pausing to greet babies and children who crossed her path. She had a passion for sewing, gardening and especially cooking for those she loved.

Patsy is survived by her children, Bella Gonzales; Anna Montemorano husband David; Selena Schedine and husband Mike; David Gonzales; as well as her siblings, Ruth Maestas, Isabel Capote, Amy Cummings, David Herrera, and Ray Anthony Herrera. She is also survived by her former husband and life long friend, David Gonzales; 17 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. 

 She was preceded in death by her parents, Isabel (Garcia) Herrera and Ezekiel Herrera; her step-mother Maggie Herrera; and her sisters, Maria Herrera Jimenez and Faye Herrera.

 Though Patsy is no longer with us, we are comforted with the promise in scripture:

“Christ will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:21). “When this earthly tent is taken down, we will have an eternal body made for us by God…we grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing” (2 Corinthians 5:1-8). 

 Our family would like to offer a special “Thank You” to the Spanish Trails Rehabilitation team, Corus Hospice team during her final days.