Donna Medina-Gonzales

On July 8, 2021 Donna Medina Gonzales ended her fight with cancer and slid into an endless sleep. The daughter of Levi Medina and Norma Medina, née Archuleta and sister of Chris Medina, Debbie LaFayette, Delores Medina, and Denise Bustos, Donna Medina Gonzales was born on January 20, 1961. She graduated from Espanola High School and worked as a CAD drafter and civil engineer.

She will be remembered as a selfless, loving, and caring daughter, wife, mother and grandmother. Her family, friends and loved ones will never forget how Donna did not shy away to give anyone in need the shirt off her back nor will they forget Donna’s willingness to help and feed the less needy. Everyone was welcomed in her house.

Donna was a talented artist, gardener and athlete. Not only was she a wonderful painter and drawer, but her vivid use of colors and pictorials like chiles, can be seen in her tapestries. Donna knew how to garden where she was able to turn the clay dusty dirt of New Mexico into a lush garden of chiles, melons, squash, and other fruits and vegetables. Almost every year Donna had a garden that produced amazing crops, which she would share with everyone who stopped-by. And, almost every summer, you would find Donna playing softball with her friends and family in local tournaments.  

Donna put family and friends before herself. Her family meant the world to her. Her laughter will never be forgotten.

She fought this battle of cancer to the end. She knew her end was coming soon and she had no regrets. God allowed her suffering to be minimal until the flame of her candle went out. Donna will truly be missed but the memories will last forever.

Donna Medina Gonzales married Raymond Gonzales Jr. on December 12, 2004. She had four children: Jimmy Gonzales, Patrick Gonzales, Mark Gonzales, and Stevie Gonzales; four step-children: Michael Miller, Paul Gonzales, Annette Gonzales, and Veronica Gonzales; eleven grandchildren; and, a plethora of nieces and nephews.

Serving the Medina-Gonzales family as pallbearers are: Paul Gonzales, Jimmy Gonzales, Patrick Gonzales, Mark Gonzales, Dominic LaFayette, Joseph LaFayette.

Serving the Medina-Gonzales Family as honorary pallbearers are Peter Manzanares, Mario Manzanares, Steve Gonzales, Gabriel Ibuado, Michael Miller, Juliette Martinez, Veronica Gonzales, Mike Benji, John Shoepner, Virginia Gonzales, Bernadette Garcia, Priscilla Manzanares and Clara Serrano.

Please join the Medina-Gonzales Family to pray the rosary Wednesday July 14, 2021 at 10:00AM and Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00AM at the St. Thomas Catholic Church in Abiquiu, NM. Interment will immediately follow at the Medanales Community Cemetery.

The Medina-Gonzales Family has entrusted Donna’s care to Rivera Family Funeral Home.