In Memoriam


Sister Marie Carmen Gonzales, OP

(1926-2019)

In 1958, the Adrian Dominican Sisters missioned in Roy, New Mexico, had a rather unlikely prospective postulant come their way: Maria Carmen Gonzales, who at the age of thirty-two was considerably older than most who have entered the Congregation.

Maria Carmen was born on July 16, 1926, in Albert, New Mexico, to Desiderio and Vicenta (Montaño) Gonzales. When she was about six months old, however, her mother became quite ill, and so the little girl was raised by an aunt and uncle whom she called her mother and father. She did not even know until it was time to enroll in school that her aunt and uncle were not actually her parents.

She attended a one-room schoolhouse for grades one through eight and then went to Mosquero High School, from which she graduated in 1945. Her uncle died around that time, and as the oldest of nine children – eight girls and a boy – she took on the responsibility of helping support the family. She worked in a number of jobs, including a grocery store, a cleaner, a laundry, and the local post office. According to her autobiography, she actually dreamed of joining the Air Force, but “I was too short and didn’t weigh enough.”

Read more about Sister Marie Carmen (pdf)

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Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, Michigan, 49221. 

 

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Avatar  Frances Tilley, on behalf of all the family of Louis & Corrine Baca 5 years agoReply

Sister Carmen has left a legacy for her family to always remember her by. She was a woman of faith, strength, courage, intelligence and the will to do what God created her to do in her life here on earth. She was gifted with many talents that she shared in her lifetime with family and she touched a multitude of others I am certain. As she took her last breath here on earth and her first breath in heaven, the Lord has welcomed her to her eternal home with these words , "well done good and faithful servant." She will be missed greatly, the promise of our Heavenly Father is one day we will all be reunited, as was Sister's will to serve the Lord, we too must choose HIM here on earth so to have the hope of being welcomed home as she was for all eternity. Time is short, do not delay for the word of the Lord in James 4:14,Yet you do not know about what may happen in your life tomorrow. You are merely a vapor that is visible for a little while and then vanishes .

Avatar  Janice (Gonzales) Gray 5 years agoReply

Thank you for live streaming my Aunt Sister Marie Carmen's funeral. My heart was heavy since none of the family was able to attend. It was a beautiful service. I am at peace being able to watch the service. Sister Carmen was also preceded in death by two more Gonzales siblings, my Dad, Bennie Gonzales and my Aunt Priscilla Sandoval. She was surrounded by family that loved her dearly. She played a big role in my Catholic upbringing at a very young age. I remember on one her visits she came to our home on the ranch. Mom fixed dinner, we all gathered at the dinner table. We were all waiting for her to give the blessing, but she asked who was going to give the blessing. We all just sat there thinking no way will my simple prayer be good enough, after all she was a Sister. She waited patiently, then said in Spanish, "Estos burros, don't you know how to pray." Ever since that day I made sure I would learn my prayers, and practice my Catholic faith as good as I could. Your memories will remain with me forever. We love you always. Rest In Peace Sister Carmen

Avatar  Bernadine Sandoval 5 years agoReply

Rest in peace my dear Aunt Sister Marie Carmen, your life with God has always been an inspiration in my life, you will alway's be remembered. My memory of you was driving back from a funeral up north New Mexico not sure if it was my Mom's Priscilla Sandoval, I asked you why you looked so young and in such good health, your were one of the oldest of the Gonzales sister's and you laughed and said I married the right man, I married God and he is wonderful to me. Thank you for live streaming Sister Marie Carmen's funeral it was a wonderful remembrance of her life.and being able to be there, I know she's smiling in heaven!! Love you Sister Marie Carmen

Avatar  Christina Vigil 5 years agoReply

Sister Carmen is one of the greatest blessings that our family ever received. She was given to our family so my grandmother could take care of her but throughout life she took care of us all. My grandmother Genoveva Arguello Maestas adored Sister Carmen just as the rest of us did. Sister Carmen was the backbone of the family. Anytime we had a crisis, we called on Sister. She was there for us as we lost my Aunt to cancer. Never once did she wavier! When Sister Carmen was with us, we had her strength, her faith, and her wisdom. Even after she retired to Adrian we called on Sister to talk us through things or just to pray for us.
Some of my greatest memories include Sister Carmen….running through the halls of Queen of Heaven Convent, sneaking the freshly roasted skin from the Thanksgiving Turkey (Sister would hit our hands as we tried to pick the skin- she always said, “Don’t take the skin off it has to be on the slices for presentation- but it was sooooo good), holding my finger on the ribbons of her coffee cakes as she carefully wrapped each one for her brothers and sisters, giving me my first “Teacher Gifts” to put in my very first classroom and they remain in my classroom today-20 years later! The memories go on and on. Our family is so very fortunate to have had Sister Carmen for so many years. We will treasure the memories we had with her and look forward to the day we meet her again.
We Love You Sister!

Avatar  Christina Vigil 5 years agoReply

Sister Carmen is one of the greatest blessings that our family ever received. She was given to our family so my grandmother and grandfather could take care of her but throughout life she took care of us all. My grandmother Genoveva Arguello Maestas adored Sister Carmen just as the rest of us did. Sister Carmen was the backbone of the family. Anytime we had a crisis, we called on Sister. She was there for us as we lost my Aunt to cancer. Never once did she wavier! When Sister Carmen was with us, we had her strength, her faith, and her wisdom. Even after she retired to Adrian we called on Sister to talk us through things or just to pray for us.
Some of my greatest memories include Sister Carmen….running through the halls of Queen of Heaven Convent, sneaking the freshly roasted skin from the Thanksgiving Turkey (Sister would hit our hands as we tried to pick the skin- she always said, “Don’t take the skin off it has to be on the slices for presentation- but it was sooooo good), holding my finger on the ribbons of her coffee cakes as she carefully wrapped each one for her brothers and sisters, giving me my first “Teacher Gifts” to put in my very first classroom and they remain in my classroom today-20 years later! The memories go on and on. Our family is so very fortunate to have had Sister Carmen for so many years. We will treasure the memories we had with her and look forward to the day we meet her again.
We Love You Sister!

Avatar  Annie Bailey 5 years agoReply

Chance made us sisters, our hearts made us friends. God bless you, we love you, and you will be greatly missed.

Avatar  Chrissie Silva 5 years agoReply

My condolences to the family of sister Carmen, especially our precious Aunt Jane. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
What a wonderful life Sister Carmen lived. May she always be remembered for her life of faithfulness and holiness!

Avatar  Florence Gonzales 5 years agoReply

I for one will truly miss my Aunts soft voice. She always made it a point to keep in touch. Always making you feel safe and loved. She was such an inspiration to us all. We may not have chosen the same path to heaven, but always knew we would see one another there. I will surely miss her!
I love you Sister Carmen and may you rest in peace. ❤

Avatar  Joseph and Sherry Arguello 5 years agoReply

You were such an inspiration in our lives and you will be greatly missed, we love you Tia, may your soul RIP till we meet again. We love you so much. Thank you for everything , well miss your cards and letters.



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