Obituary of Juana Maria Gonzalez

November 25, 1950 - June 18, 2026

Juana Maria Gonzalez. Age 75 of Riverview.

Beloved wife of the late Thomas Gonzalez. Loving mother of Marcus (Nicole) Gonzalez, Lette Gonzalez, Chano Gonzalez and Aaron (Sarah) Gonzalez. Dearest grandmother of Anthony, Marcel (Kaitlynn), Zach and Alex. Great grandmother of McKenna, Mason, Rose, Carson, Cayden and Kayla. Also survived by many, many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents Ernesto Chavez and Luisa Gonzalez. 

Memorial contributions in honor of Juana are appreciated to the Good Fellows or the Salvation Army.

Family Tribute

Juana graduated from Most Holy Redeemer High School in Detroit, MI. 

She went onto becoming a Master Jeweler and has worked with 5 Jewelry Stores over her 30 year career, retiring in 2015.

Juana loved going to the movies, watching various television and streaming programs, listening to a variety of music, jewelry design and mastering repairing methods. She especially loved being a mom and grandma. 

Juana will be remembered for being a hard worker and her selfless acts of service. She was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Not only was she wonderful to her own family but she also treated her childrens friends as her own. Juana would give as much attention to them as she would her own children and depending on what they might be going through at the time, more attention than her own children. 

Our Mom by Aaron Gonzalez

When It comes to knowing our mom, Juana Maria Gonzalez one word comes to mind-Selfless The definition of selfless according to Merriam-Webster is as follows: having no concern for self. Now, that might not sound like much but it is how you interpret that definition. Juana Maria Gonzalez would even raise an eyebrow. Trust me, Mom; when speaking with a dear friend over the loss of you-the word and definition of Selfless is fitting for your life and legacy.

Let us begin with a little history and we will circle back.

As the youngest of four sisters, our mom served as a mother figure to all of her nieces and nephews. Caring for all of them brought her immense joy when our mom would be harassed or picked on while in school or by neighborhood kids. Over the years, that experience enriched my mother's soul. Mom believed that is what drew her spirit about being a mother and giving unconditional love. 

My mom wanted to be an actress. I have seen set design drawings for a musical she did for an assignment in her drama class. Our mom had the flair for drama when trying to cheer us up or make us laugh. Ultimately, she wanted a big family of her own, wanting to surpass the amount of children her sister, Rosie raised, nine children.

My mom & dad would meet through the neighborhood, and were friends for a while before they began dating. During that time, my dad was involved in a shooting and was wounded. Our mom nursed my dad back to health. Our mom later on would say she knew that she would take care of this man for the rest of his life. My mom & dad through photos had an amazing connection together. She often talked about going into a bustling downtown Detroit with him, catching wrestling events and many silly pictures were taken. Soon enough, Our parents were married with friends and family among them in the city of Dearborn. 

Marcus and Lette joined the fray in the 70's and by the 80's Chano and I came along as well as our own home near Patton Park in Southwest Detroit. Our mom would cook up many meals for our birthdays and special occasions in the 20 plus years on Wendell Street. From diapers and tooth fairy visits, welcoming grandchildren to all of us graduating high school as well as starting college, the growth and health of our family brought our mother so much enjoyment. We didn't always have the most expensive clothes or shoes, all the chains and video games. My brothers and sister had a lot of love given to us, our mom along with our dad installed a heavy amount of culture into our lives through music, movies, television, festivals and the newspaper. Our mom would often take us with her to pay bills, shopping for clothes and groceries and of course going to the bank on time to cash your check. 

Our mom was a fan of dramatic films, science fiction and action. Some of her favorite films included "Looking For Mr. Goodbar", "The Godfather", "Blade Runner", "The Deer Hunter", and "Cool Hand Luke" just to name a few. As for Television, "The X-Files" was one of her all time favorites as well "Miami Vice", "Seinfeld" "The Rookie", "Parenthood", "Hacks", "The Shield", "Cheers" and the original, "Quantum Leap" just to name a few. Music was a mixed bag, mainly single cuts from a ton of artists such as Lyle Lovett, Elvis Costello, Hall and Oates, Mac Miller, Talking Heads and Bruno Mars. She was a huge fan of the Rolling Stones, admitting to me she thought she was going to have a heart attack when going with my brother and dad to see the band for the first time during their Steel Wheels Tour. I would have the opportunity to see the Stones with my mom years later in my early twenties and that is a memory that is still very fresh to this day. Mom was a fan of the blues, especially when my dad was performing. Once, I witnessed my mom without prior knowledge feed an entire backstage crew sandwiches during a blues festival our father was performing at, I can still recall the pickled jalapeno slices used. Mom did it all without skipping a beat or worrying about a rest. The fact that everyone was taken care of was all that mattered to her.

Of course, our mom was immensely talented as a master jeweler. Started her career handling administrative duties to polishing, jeweler apprentice to master jeweler.

Carving out an amazing career in what my mom would often summon up by mentioning "It's A Man's Man's Man's World" by James Brown, mainly just the title but it made sense. Mom would have to work 10x as hard to prove her work was great or better than what a male jeweler could produce. It would earn the respect from those jewelers among others who would often take time to show our mom a little more here and there to increase her value. In return, my mom would pay it forward to anyone willing to work hard as well as provide leads to out of work jewelers on openings at other shops. Throughout the years, extended family and friends would have purchased a ring, a chain, a watch, a cross or had repairs done by mom personally; at times not charging or giving anyone a considerably low rate. Our Mom loved the business so much and would have probably worked until the day of her passing if she could have. 

Our mom enjoyed a good meal or snacks anytime of the day. Cookies, Cakes, Ice Cream-she would take it all. Mom loved fried shrimp, wing dings with lots of hot sauce, thai food, chinese food, pizza and sliders. Our family also made tamales for decades, starting with our late Grandma Luisa and then becoming our own family tradition. I can remember the week leading into the assembly day, the chiles being prepared, the corn husk being cleaned and soaked. The night before,the pork being boiled to be shredded, chiles, garlic and onion being boiled to be blended along with other seasonings and mom moving around the house throughout the night making sure our dining room was ready. Where she found the energy I have no clue. My mom worked 8 hours every day and that week was no different. Mom would be out the door before sunrise on Saturday to make it down to the tortilla factory to grab large quantities of uncut masa, steaming hot, pick up Grandma, grab coffee and donuts. Marcus would often mix the masa with the rendered pork fat along with lard and chiles for color and for the next few hours it was filled with our grandma commenting on our every move. At the end of the process, a small batch was being prepared while dozens were wrapped up for the freezer, homemade salsa along with rice, beans and cactus were all prepared. Our mom's reaction was always priceless as our bellies were filled and my dad's seal of approval was given.

Now that you enjoyed learning about our mother, here is the mom I grew up with my brothers and sister. The one who wanted to give everything she had to you, it felt like all the love this world we live in could muster up and double that 10x. Our Mom's concern was always about our family. Whatever was needed for her kids, mom would plan with our dad to find a way to make it happen. From sunrise to sunset, our mom was all about preserving the household along with our Dad that brought her much joy. Through good times and bad, our mom was the glue to our family's success. 

Caring for all her children with their own unique personalities and quirks to caring for our father with Parkinson's for 20 plus years, mom would bypass her needs, wants and at times, her health to make sure our family would be safe from all sides. As our mom got to know many of our closest friends over the years, mom would develop special bonds with them as well.

Even as friendships fell off, our mom would inquire if we ever reconnected with them, even recalling a significant memory we shared. When family departed, from aunts and uncles, in-laws, cousins and family friends, our mom was a rock for those who needed it. My mom always had a moment to talk on the phone, offer encouragement or just to talk about life. Even as recently prior to her passing, one of her nephews was hospitalized and our mother was admitted as well, she wanted to be by his side in his time of need. Our mom didn't want anyone to worry about her health, she wanted everyone to keep in their mind that Aunt Janie, Grandma Janie, Godmother and of course as Mom that she was fine.

One of our mom's proudest moments would have to be when she became a Grandmother to her grandsons, Anthony followed by Marcel. Our mom was able to witness the youngest grandson, Marcel, add the title of Great Grandma to our mom with his daughter, Rose and Sons, Cayden and Carson. She wanted to be a part of any big moment in their lives. It made our mom feel alive again, new life and youth to give her strength. Mom would have a chance to be a mom again in a small capacity. 

Our mom's generosity was unmatched. She gave to others even when it meant she would go without. Our mom always led with her heart and we sometimes didn't understand it, but we admired and respected her for it. 

In closing, our mother truly gave everything she had to everyone she encountered. It was after everyone was happy, fed and loved that the real reward, the true satisfaction was felt. All the hobbies and interests were enjoyed more knowing everyone else is doing great. Mom's cup was never emptied but only filled back to the brim with everything she could do to make an outcome better. If you were lucky enough, my mom would end your phone conversation with-one, two, three! Mom did not like saying bye to my dad or us kids; she would remind us of that if we made that mistake to say bye, mom. It was a special salutation that if you heard it, you should know that you were valued and treasured.

Thank you, Mom for being the best mom anyone could ask for.

For the shoulder to cry on, for being the taste tester, for dropping off our friends to school or home, for picking me up twice a week after work from my first radio gig while in high school, for taking and picking us up after working midnights, for all the handmade wedding, birthday and baby shower gifts made and thrown, for countless meals both in house and out, for the night vision graduation video, to believing in all of us even when we sometimes couldn't believe in ourselves, for the laughs, the jackets, socks, and the list goes on and on... Thank you so much for being selfless, Aunt Janie, Grandma Janie, Godmother Janie and of course our mom. Until that time when we are reunited, one, two, three!