Sylvia C. Gonzales better known as "Chivi", left her loved ones and friends to make her journey
home to be with her Lord on August 21, 2020. Sylvia was born in Hayden, Arizona on January 9,
1940 to Alfonso and Amparo Cruz. She was blessed with 80 years of life full of love, family, and
friends which made for a lot of laughter, good times, and precious memories.

Sylvia was a genuine hometown girl. She was raised in Hayden (San Pedro) by her mother,
grandmother and uncles, along with her sister, Stella. Even though there was an age difference
there was a strong loving bond between them. As she became a young lady, she met her husband,
Antonio "Bear" Gonzales in school and he truly won her heart. On September 12, 1957, at a
very young age, they eloped to get married and started their family. On December 5, 1968,
they were married at St. Joseph's Church. Sylvia brought four children into this world, Doreena,
Norma, Alfonso and Thelma. Their children blessed them with fourteen grandchildren and
twelve great grandchildren.

Sylvia took care of her husband during his illness for 8 years. She became certified to be able to
connect him to his dialysis machine. In 1989 her husband died leaving her as a widow and she
returned to join the workforce. She did housekeeping around the area, and being that she
always enjoyed cooking and baking, she was employed at the food service department with the
Hayden Schools. While she worked at the school during the day, she also worked evenings as a
cook at the General Kearny Inn. People enjoyed her food, some would even drive from around
the area to eat some of her delicious soups, along with some of her other favorites. Her family
were the luckiest of all, they were spoiled with some of her good pies, empanadas, tamales and
flat enchiladas at any time. Not only did she love cooking, she absolutely loved the Phoenix
Suns and her Arizona Diamondbacks.

Sylvia is preceded in death by her parents Alfonso and Amparo Cruz, her husband Tony, her
granddaughter, Cynthia "Cindy" Magallanez, her great grandson, Baby Andrew Aguirre, along
with many loved ones. Sylvia is survived by her three daughters, Doreena (Bobby) Magallanez,
Norma (Henry) Bravo, Thelma (Robert) Casillas, and her son, Alfonso (Michelle) Gonzales, and
all their children. Also surviving is her sister, Stella Manriquez.

Sylvia leaves behind a legacy of being a loving, strong-willed, genuine, and caring person. We
will miss her and promise to continue loving her just as we did while she was here with us.
Farewells and goodbyes are not an option, instead its until we meet again.
Mom we love you and you will be forever in our hearts.