Olivia Gonzales, 90, passed away peacefully at her youngest daughter’s home on Monday, October 16th, 2023. She was surrounded by friends and family, including several of her children and grandchildren.

Olivia was born on October 30, 1932 in Martindale, Texas, the youngest daughter of Alejandro Moreno, and Leondra Reyes Moreno. Her older siblings included Maria Castro, Eugenia Vasquez, her biological brother Leon Moreno, who passed as an early teen, and her adopted brother Leon Moreno. She has fond memories of growing up in Texas with her siblings. After the passing of her father around 1960, the family moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, after a short stay in Nebraska.

Olivia labored as a Migrant Farm Worker while simultaneously caring for the needs of her children. The family followed the harvest seasons to different parts of the United States, riding in the back of her brother-in-law's canopy covered farm truck. During this time, Olivia taught her children the importance of family, caring for and loving one another.

Olivia’s accomplishments included teaching her children the value of hard work, modeled by laboring under the scorching heat, picking fruits and vegetables for long hours at a time where her oldest children worked alongside her. Her greatest achievement was raising 9 healthy children who were successful in their own right, including first generation high school graduates, first generation college graduates, managers, business owners, entrepreneurs and military veterans.

Olivia had a spirit that could light up a room. Despite her hardships in life, she lived it to the fullest. She enjoyed making new friends and striking up conversations with strangers. She loved laughing and joking with her children and grandchildren. The echoes of this joyous sound will be missed. Olivia also enjoyed music, and at times, one could hear her singing to her favorite songs including corridos from Ramon Ayala and Vicente Fernandez, or enjoying a dance with friends and family. She was also fond of fishing, enjoyed long rides in the car, and watching her favorite football team, the Denver Broncos. Olivia will be remembered most for the unconditional love she showed her children. Even with her last words she found the strength to say, “I love all of my children.”

Olivia is survived by her 5 sons, John Llamas, Gilbert Llamas, George Llamas, Robert Llamas, David Gonzalez and Adrian Gonzales and 3 daughters, Dahlia Zamarron, Cynthia Hernandez and Sylvia Aguilera and 135 grandchildren/great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her dad, mom, siblings, and two grandchildren.

Viewing/Rosary: Boehlander Chapel, 121 W Olive St, Fort Collins, CO 80524, on October 26, 2023 at 12-pm to 6pm to be followed by a Rosary at 7 pm.

Memorial Service/Second Viewing: Holy Family Catholic Church, 326 N Whitcomb St, Fort Collins, CO 8052, on October 27, 2023. Second viewing starts at 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, Memorial Service will be held from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, to be followed by a procession to Grand View Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest at 1:30 pm.

The family is hosting a Potluck Reception at American Legion Post 4, Address: 2124 Co Rd 54G, Fort Collins, CO 80524 Telephone: (970) 484-0418, please join us for healing, gratitude and sharing of memories.

If you would like to donate to her memorial fund for additional funeral expenses that were incurred, please visit the link below.

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