Estella A. Gonzalez

The daughter and wife of pastors, surgical ICU nurse, PTA President, Sunday School teacher, BSF student and children’s leader, a “Him” Time and sunrise assisted living singer, Pro-life activist, missionary, world traveler, a mother, tia, grandmother (abuelita), and great-grandmother, these are just a few of the titles Estella wore. Estella A. Gonzalez was born on July 17, 1915 in Montemorelos, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. She attended a boarding school for her primary education then went on to graduate as a surgical nurse from the Presbyterian University Hospital, Sanatorio La Luz, in Puebla Mexico. She married the chaplain, Rev. Roberto T. Gonzalez and had 4 children, Marta, twins Deanna and Robert and Rudolph. They immigrated to Richmond, California, where two more children, Jaime and Eldda were added to the family. All were active in the churches her husband pastored, First Mexican Baptist in Richmond, and later Pan American Baptist Church in San Pablo. The family resided in Richmond for 50 years. Persevering through night school to learn English, Estella became an American citizen, obtained her recertification to practice nursing, and worked in ICU at Kaiser Permanente Hospital, Richmond for 35 years. Despite her love of nursing, Estella retired to nurse her husband until his death in 1981. She joined Ravi Zacharias in two missionary trips to India where she met Mother Teresa, another nurse! Estella then joined KEAR – Family Radio mission trips with whom she travelled to every continent in the world offering free Bibles to the people in their own language. She was a member of NorthCreek Church in Walnut Creek. She moved to Pinole, CA where she lived with her daughter until the Lord called her peacefully to His forever home and her eternal life! PTL! Estella is survived by her children Marta Montano, Deanna Maroon, Robert (Ruby) Gonzalez, Rudolph (Kathy) Gonzalez, Jaime (Rena) Gonzalez and Eldda (Richard) Watkins, 15 grandchildren, 9 spouses, and 27 great grandchildren. Memorial services will be held Saturday, March 29th at 1:00 p.m. at NorthCreek Church, 2303 Ignacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, CA. The family prefers donations to Family Radio – KEAR Oakland, CA or The Gideons International, www.gideons.org Arrangements are under the direction of Passalacqua Funeral Chapel, Benicia.

Estella A. Gonzalez

July 17, 1915 - February 27, 2014