Alamosa resident Celestina Gonzales, 99, went home to be with the Lord on August 26, 2018 at the San Luis Care Center with her loving family by her side. Celestina was welcomed into the world on July 30, 1919 in Conejos, Colorado, the third daughter of Meliton Velasquez and Elena Salazar Velasquez.

She married Manuel Gonzales of Alamosa, CO in 1937. That same year they made Alamosa, CO their home.

Celestina grew up and attended high school in La Jara, CO and was even her class valedictorian. She is known by her nephew’s and niece’s as “Aunt Sally”. Celestina always claimed to have two retirements. She worked 32 years at JC Penny’s where she earned the title of head cashier and bookkeeper. After retiring from JC Penny’s she took a secretary position at Boyd Elementary School where she served 13 years.

Celestina was a kind and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, cousin and friend who enjoyed reading, baking, traveling, working on her yard and home and watching her favorite teams the Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies. She was a member of the Alamosa Presbyterian Church where she held many offices. Celestina was treasurer for the American Cancer Society and was also a member of the Evergreen Nursing Home Advisory Board. Celestina also volunteered any chance she got. She was happiest when she was spending  time with her family and friends.

Survivors include her grandchildren; Brenda (Jack) Gronlund of Aurora, CO, Sean (Sam) Gonzales of Lubbock, TX, Kelly Gonzales of Portland, OR; great-grandchildren  Alexandra, Jacqueline, Josh, Taylor, Miranda, Reed; brother LeRoy Velasquez of La Jara, CO; special friends Mary Vela of Alamosa, CO, Claudette Fisher of Alamosa, CO, Dorothy Croft of Alamosa, CO, Tita Louise Martinez of Alamosa, CO, Sandra Hay of Chandler, AZ and Marvine Ayler of Colorado Springs, CO. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Celestina was preceded in death by her parents; Meliton and Elena Velasquez; husband Manuel Gonzales; son Larry S. Gonzales; grandchild Larry Christian; sisters Ruth Chavez, Becky Romero, Reinalda Garcia and one brother; Tony Velasquez.

A celebration of Celestina’s life will be held on Sunday, September 23, 2018 at the Road Way Inn located in Alamosa, CO beginning at 12:00 PM. A Grave Side Service and inurnment will be held on Monday, September 24, 2018 at the Alamosa Cemetery beginning at 11:00 AM.

To leave online condolences please visit www.romerofuneralhomes.com. The care of arrangements have been entrusted to Romero Funeral Home of Alamosa.