Leona M. Gonzales

Leona M. Gonzales of the Tuscarora Nation, passed away on Sunday, December 27, 2020, at her home under the care of her family and Niagara Hospice.   She was born on the Tuscarora Nation, White Bear Clan, on July 9, 1934, the daughter of the late Thomas and Lucinda [Doxtater] Reed.

Mrs. Gonzales graduated from D'youville College with a Bachelors degree and later received her Masters from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.   She was an elementary school teacher with the Parker Unified School District in Parker, AZ for over 30 years.

Mrs. Gonzales moved back to Tuscarora Nation in 2000.

Mrs. Gonzales had a strong devotion to St. Kateri Tekakwitha and attended her canonization in Rome in 2012.    She also had the great privilege of giving testimony to Pope Francis at the Festival of Families in Philadelphia in 2015.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years Rudy G. Gonzales, one son Michael (Loree) Gonzales, four daughters Francesca (Brian) Clause, Regina (Walt) Shontz, Carmelita Gonzales and Lucinda (Sam) Anderson, ten grandchildren Nichole, Adrianna, Thomas (Jillian), Chris (Jessica), Brian, Amanda, Sarah, Walter, Matthew and Nathan, four great grandchildren Julianna, Gabriella, Keaton and Amari, a sister Claudia Troiano, also many nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Gonzales was the sister of the late Cecil C. Reed.

Her family will be present on  Wednesday   from  4-7 PM at the RHONEY FUNERAL HOME, 5893 Hoover Road, SANBORN, NY.
A private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Family Chapel per the wishes of her family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Family Parish, 5180 Chew Road, Sanborn, NY 14132 or Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, P.O. Box 167, Youngstown, NY 14174.

Interment at Mt. Hope Cemetery, on the Tuscarora Nation.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

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