Tomasita "Rosie" Villanueva Gonzalez

With profound sadness, we share the passing of Tomasita “Rosie” Villanueva Gonzalez, who left this world at the age of 72 on December 31, 2023. A woman of warmth, love, and boundless generosity, she filled every room with her vibrant spirit and devotion to family.

Born in Puerto Rico, Rosie was the 2nd eldest daughter in a family of 15 children. From a young age, she embraced responsibility, caring for her siblings with a nurturing heart that became her defining trait. Although her early duties limited her educational opportunities, she never let that hold her back. After moving to California with her husband and 3 kids, she attended night school for business college and proudly built a 30-year career at Bell Industries, steadily rising through the ranks to a supervisor role in accounting. 

Her life was shaped by resilience and a deep appreciation for simple joys. Growing up with little, she cherished playing by the river with her siblings and spending long days outdoors. Those memories of laughter and togetherness inspired her lifelong love of family gatherings — especially family reunions, holiday celebrations, birthdays, and milestone events.

Her warmth was unmatched. Whether you were family, a close friend or someone going through a difficult time, Rosie had a gift for making you feel loved, seen, and heard. She was the best cook, always humming while she worked her magic in the kitchen, filling her home with Puerto Rican comfort food and love. And if you were lucky enough to receive one of her famous kisses — hands cupping your face, her signature inhale followed by a warm smooch and an audible sound — you knew you were cherished.

Family was everything to her. She lovingly cared for her mother and father in their later years, serving as their devoted caregiver. She never missed an opportunity to connect with her loved ones, sending heartfelt birthday messages to her siblings, nieces, nephews, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and adopted family  — a constant reminder that no one was ever forgotten.

Her legacy is one of unconditional love, presence, and joy. She believed in embracing life fully, never taking things too seriously, and pausing to notice the beauty all around. She loved to travel. She babysat and volunteered at her grandchildren’s school, sharing her love of storytelling as she read to young students. Her captivating ghost stories, and her artistic talents in drawing and painting, are treasures we will always cherish. 

One of her most treasured memories came on her 70th birthday, when her daughters orchestrated a surprise reunion in Colorado. One by one, her 7 sisters, 6 nieces, and 2 daughters greeted her at the airport, each arrival bringing joyful tears. Together, they celebrated dancing to salsa and merengue music, card games, spa treatments, a crazy boat ride (that almost capsized due to too much dancing), and a hike through Rocky Mountain National Park. It was a weekend filled with amazing food, laughter, stories, and love — a testament to the incredible woman she was. She often said it was one of the best moments of her life.

Rosie is survived by her husband Carmelo Gonzalez; her children, Ivette Flower, Marisol Moreno, David Gonzalez; her beloved grandchildren, Eliana, Alex, Katie, Abigail, Drew, Connor, Emily, Jesse, X Jr., Heaven, and Brittany; her great grandchildren Anthony, Mateo, Zen, Brooklyn and Bristol; her sons and daughter-in-law, Mark, Xavier, Ginny; her brothers Milton, Nelson, Carlos, Freddy, Ramon, Martin and Peter; her sisters Can, Daisy, Diana, Gloria, Haydee, Teresita and Iris, her many nieces, nephews, and loved ones who became her extended family members.

Though she is no longer with us, her love lives on — in every story told, every song hummed in the kitchen, every hummingbird we see, every white feather we find, and every warm embrace shared between family and friends. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Que sueñe con los angelitos mamita linda.