Mela Gonzales was born February 1st, 1932, in Tome, New Mexico. Her passing was on February 12, 2020, Chicago Illinois. She was 88 years old. Daugher of Tony and Leo Peña, Mela was raised in San Mateo, Peralta and Grants New Mexico, surrounded by cousins and her beloved aunts Ida Frances and Jenny Otero, who were more like sisters. She had two brothers, Johnny and Gilbert Peña. She grew up spending a lot of time on the family ranch, and had her favorite cow. In 1954 she married John I. Gonzales from Albuquerque N. Mex. They moved a lot. John's work and schooling had them moving to Santa Fe, NM., Oletha, Kansas, El Paso, Tx., Little Rock, Ark., Los Angeles Ca., Washington D.C., Sioux Falls SD, Urbana, Il, and finally settled in San Antonio Tex. They raised 3 children, Antoinette, John Robert (Bob/Bear Deceased) and Charles (Chuck). Mela went back to College in her late 30's. She attended Augustana College graduating Cum Laude and became a Special Education teacher. Teaching mostly in San Antonio at Irving Jr. high until her retirement. Mela was a very disciplined but loving teacher who loved to see her grown students around town working and they were equally happy to see her. Mela was very involved in her church and had a deep faith in the Catholic Church. Travel was very important to Mela. She and John traveled extensively for his job which was as a Superintendent for the South Texas Schools for the Deaf. They also camped across country extensively in their Palomino popup camper, stopping at every national park along the way between South Dakota and New Mexico. After John's death in 1989 Mela continued to travel with friends and her beloved Aunt Ida. She traveled to Hawaii, Spain, Costa Rica, Australia and New Zealand. Mela and Aunt Ida came to NYC and took the city bus up to Yankee stadium on a pretty Sunday morning talking to all the church ladies along the way. She loved and really enjoyed her grandchildren Erin & Dakota Rice, Jessica Gonzales, Jason Gonzales, from Bob & Laura Dabaghian Gonzales. All of Houston Texas. Mela moved home to Grants New Mexico to take care of her father Tony Peña for several years. The two of them were always ready to hop in a car, pick up Aunt Ida in Albuquerque and take off for biscochitos, coffee and gossip in Peralta with the Otero clan. In 2012 Mela moved to Chicago Il. to be near her loving daughter, Antoinette and husband Steven Kern. Mela lived for several years at the Brookdale on Sheridan and was very active and beloved. Mela P. Gonzales had a life well lived; full of friends, adventure and love. Cheers! Mela is survived by her brothers and spouses: Gilbert & Ramona Peña, Johnny Peña Sister in Law: Joy Peña. Children and Spouses: Steven & Antoinette Kern, Chuck Gonzales & Michael Thibeault Grandchildren and Spouses: Erin & Dakota Rice, Jessica Gonzales, Jason Gonzales Daughter-in-Law: Laura Dabaghian Gonzales.