Berta Andrea Gonzales

Mrs. Berta A. Gonzales, age 89 of Brownsville, TX, passed away on Saturday, August 24, 2013. She was born to Rosalio and Estefana Torres, in Brownsville, TX where she lived her entire life. She was the third and youngest child in her family, having had a sister, Carmela, who passed away as an infant, and an older brother, Raul.

Berta had a lifelong dedication to learning and to bettering herself, starting her education in the Brownsville public schools. Later she was able to earn her high school graduate equivalency diploma G.E.D and attended and completed a beauty operator program at the Holtry Beauty School in Harlingen, TX where she earned her license as a beautician. In addition, Berta took courses in bookkeeping and accounting at Texas Southmost College in Brownsville, TX and fulfilled her thirst for knowledge by learning and taking classes in dance, painting, exercise, Bible study, sewing, flower arranging and embroidery.

An industrious and ambitious person, she began working at the early age of 14. Later in life, beyond her work at home caring for her children, husband and family members, Berta worked as a beautician and as a saleslady at an upscale dress shop. She also opened and ran two different businesses The Neighborhood Beauty Shop and The Little Village Restaurant which were both located on the corner of East Jefferson and Palm Blvd. When her husband acquired a wholesale gas and oil distributorship, Gonzales Petroleum Company, Berta worked alongside her husband and, after her husband became ill, ran the company for several years with her son Robert Gonzales. In addition she collaborated with Robert, her son, to open a gift and design store, The Magnolia Tree.

Berta was always brave and strong of will she was a person you couldnt help but notice and admire. As a girl she dared to do what others only dreamed of doing. She was not intimidated by or scared of any challenge.

As Berta blossomed into a young lady, she was popular and very attractive. She caught the eye of Gonzalo Gonzales a young man from San Benito, Texas and they were married on December 27th, 1941. The couple were together in life, love, friendship, and caring until Gonzalos demise in the late nineties.

Gonzalo and Berta had six children Sylvia Esmeralda, Gonzalo Augusto, Joe Henry, who passed away shortly after birth, Maria Christina, now deceased, Roberto Raul and Berta Linda. Their children became their life and they expended all their attention and efforts to assure that they were well cared for and educated. Berta encouraged and guided her children throughout their growing years and continued to serve as a guide to them all her life.

Berta also held her nieces and nephews most dear. These were the five children of her brother Raul Torres and his wife Oralia, both of whom died too young. Those children: Raul Jr, Rosalinda, Esmeralda, Emilio, and Berta were a large part of her life.

At the arrival of each of her nine grandsons, Troy Anthony, Gabriel David, Jason Christopher, Austin Alexander, Duane Andrew, Kevin Daniel, Eric Thomas, Dustin Adam, and Garret Alan, her joy knew no bounds. Berta was also blessed, near the end of her life, to receive into her family two greatgranddaughters, Lena Camille, and Willa Christina and a greatgrandson, Miles Austin. She was also happy to learn that another greatgranddaughter was expected very soon.

Berta had many interests and talents. She was a person full of life, joy and enthusiasm. She produced wonderful paintings on China dinnerware and, in her later years, nothing made her happier than painting pictures as gifts for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Berta had a talented eye for style and design and applied that to the interior of her home as well as to her own personal appearance and to that of her children.

A gracious and talented hostess, she put on beautiful celebrations for her young and later teenage children. She practiced her religion joyously and deeply. She never went to sleep without reading from a small prayer book that her son, Gonzalo, gave to her when he was very young. Alongside her husband, she contributed hours of volunteer work at her childrens schools, at her Church and in her community. She and her husband were very involved in the efforts of the city and its Chamber of Commerce and other groups to forward the agenda that would bring benefits to the city of Brownsville.

Nearing the end of her life, Bertas children, Linda, Robert, Gonzalo and Sylvia, her soninlaw Robert, her grandsons Eric and Garret, and her family friend Isabel Munoz along with Lisa Salazar and the members of her staff from The Spear Home took great care of Berta and held her close in their hearts until she said goodbye.

Preceding her in death are her husband, Gonzalo A. Gonzales Sr. her parents, Estefana Olivarez Torres and Rosalio Torres her son, Joe Henry Gonzales her daughter Maria Christina Rock, her grandsons, Gabriel David Garcia and Dustin Adam Gonzales her brother Raul Torres and her sister Carmela Torres.

Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. and continue through 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 27, 2013, with the recitation of the holy rosary at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening in the East Chapel at DarlingMouser Funeral Home. The Funeral mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 28, 2013, at St. Lukes Catholic Church, 2800 Rockwell Drive. Entombment services will follow in the Mausoleum at Buena Vista Burial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Bertas name may be made to Sunshine Haven, 7105 West Lakeside Blvd., Olmito, Texas 78575.

Visitation

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Service

Rosary

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
7:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass

St. Luke
2800 Rockwell
Brownsville, TX  78521
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Buena Vista Burial Park Mausoleum
5 McDavitt Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78521

Memorial Contributions

7105 West Lakeside Blvd.
Olmito, TX  78575