Clemmie Sanchez Gonzales

GONZALES-Clemmie Sanchez Gonzales, 89, passed away on New Year's Day, 2009, following a brief illness. Most of her immediate family was at her side. Clemmie was born on December 27, 1919, in Aragon, New Mexico, and was raised by her Aunt Priscilla in Belen. She attended Belen High School, where she was a member of the girls' basketball team, graduating in 1939. Clemmie and Fred met in 1942, and were married the following year in Seattle, Washington, where he was employed as a machinist for Todd Shipyards. After the births of the first two of their children, they returned to New Mexico where they were employed at Sandia National Laboratories, until their retirements, raising three more children along the way. In accordance with her wishes, the immediate family will hold a private Memorial Mass; and following cremation, her ashes will be both interred with Fred's in Albuquerque and in the mountains of Northern New Mexico. Those who knew her will miss her independent spirit and her fierce devotion to her family. Clemmie was the unquestioned matriarch of her clan and, at least in her eyes, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were the smartest, most artistic, most athletic, and most talented people on earth. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Fred F. Gonzales, in 2006. Clemmie is survived by her five children, Richard Gonzales and wife, Anne, Rigina Wright and husband, Roger, Aaron Gonzales, Maria Thompson, all of Albuquerque, and Dan Gonzales and wife, Rae of Abiquiu, NM; four grandchildren, Anndee Wright Brown and husband, Kirk, Nashaun Thompson, Ellen Gonzales and husband, Paul Gutierrez, and Marcos Gonzales and wife, Betty Estrada, all of Albuquerque; six great-grandchildren, Beau Brown, Rhea and Rozlyn Gallegos, Julian Gonzales, and Tiger and Lance Gutierrez. The family requests that in lieu of flowers anyone wishing to make a contribution in Clemmie's name, may do so with a charity of choice. Arrangements are entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services, 4310 Sara Rd SE, Rio Rancho, NM, 87124, (505)892-9920.