Phyllis Gonzales

Phyllis Gonzales was a woman as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside, a fun-loving, caring lady who devoted her whole life to her beloved family. She faced many challenges in her lifetime, yet also enjoyed so many blessings, blessings she shared with all those around her. Today her life, and her love, lives on in all who knew her. Phyllis's story began on a cool spring day in 1933, in the little town of Stanwood, Michigan, near Big Rapids. Those were such difficult days in this country, which was caught in the teeth of the Great Depression, and times were so tough for so many Americans. On April 6, 1933, Albert and Annabelle (Allison) Fick found reason to celebrate, with the birth of a beautiful baby girl, a daughter they named Phyllis Albertina Fick. The Ficks were a large clan, with 11 children on their farm in Stanwood, where Phyllis's father raised livestock and her mother kept the kids in line. Everyone had their fair share of chores to do around the farm of course, and Phyllis was no exception. In those tough times, the kids even picked beans and cherries on other farms in the area for extra income. Growing up, Phyllis was very much her daddy's girl, and remained that way her whole life. Her dad lovingly called her "Tink" when she was little. When she was a teenager, Phyllis enjoyed going to dances (and had a lifelong love of dancing), roller skating and listening to Buddy Holy and Elvis records, just like so many girls her age. At Christmastime, Phyllis made homemade ornaments, and the whole family made tamales together, a family tradition. Phyllis attended Big Rapids Schools, though her future wouldn't be found in schoolwork. When she was just 10 years old, she met an older boy named Jesus "Jesse" Gonzales, who was a friend of her older brother Leo, and who dated one of her older sisters. Little did they know then what the future held for them! Jesse went off to fight World War II, and when he returned years later, he noticed that the little girl he knew named Phyllis had grown into a ravishing young beauty! Jesse was a handsome young man, too, and the two quickly began dating. The young couple soon found out Phyllis was pregnant, and before they knew it, they were celebrating the birth of their first child, their daughter Linda, in 1950. Their son Jesse Jr. followed in 1951, David in 1953, and Michael in 1955, though sadly, Michael died of pneumonia at just six months old. After losing their son, Phyllis and Jesse decided to "officially" get married, on September 20, 1955, though they were committed to each other long before. The couple was blessed with three more children, daughters Christina (1960), Rita (1962) and Anita (1973), rounding out their happy family. When Phyllis and Jesse were first married, they lived on Francis Street in Muskegon, where Jesse worked for CWC Foundry to make ends meet. Their next-door neighbor was a woman named Louise Harper, who became a dear and lifelong friend of Phyllis. As the family grew, they packed up and moved to a beautiful home on the appropriately-named Scenic Drive in North Muskegon, just a stone's throw from Lake Michigan's sandy shores, where Phyllis would live the rest of her days. Phyllis was an amazing wife and mother, who loved her children so dearly and always tried to provide the best for them. She was a stickler for cleanliness, and made sure her children were always presentable, in clean clothes and looking good. Sometimes the kids would be forced to take two baths in the summertime, when they got dirty outside! To help make ends meet around the home, Phyllis would also take the kids to help pick blueberries to earn money for their school clothes in the fall. The family did plenty of other, fun things, together too. Jesse's family was from San Antonio, Texas, and they made many exciting trips down there to visit relatives over the years. They also enjoyed quieter times around the house, with "family night" around the TV, watching movies and eating popcorn. Phyllis had many interests of her own, from playing bingo to watching soap operas and wrestling, and she loved to go fishing at her sister's cabin up north. She and Jesse also were very social people, with many friends they entertained with. They often went to parties, and were well known for "rolling up the carpet" and dancing the night away! Phyllis and Jesse suffered the death of their daughter Rita in 1995 from asthma, and their son Jesse Jr. died in 1998 of brain cancer, two terrible losses Phyllis took so hard. Phyllis' dear friend Louise died in 2006, as well, which was devastating to her. She got through it all with the same strength she did everything, and with the love of her family, especially her beloved grandchildren. Phyllis adored her grandkids, and they adored her, too. They would spend the night with her and argue over who got to sleep with Grandma! Phyllis taught them all how to say their bedtime prayers, which they called their "keeps." She'd also sing songs with them, and never missed a chance to spend time with them. Phyllis also had a beloved dog named Sassy, who was very important to the family, too. Her daughter Anita gave her the dog, which became a part of the family, and even slept with Phyllis on occasion. Sassy was wonderful for Phyllis, who battled several health problems of her own over the years, including asthma, lung diseases and emphysema. Sadly, Phyllis died on Friday, June 8, 2007, at the age of 74. Phyllis was a wonderful woman, as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside, such a strong, caring and fun-loving lady. She devoted her whole life to the family who meant everything to her, from her loving husband, children, and grandchildren, to her many friends, as well. She faced many challenges in her lifetime, yet enjoyed so many blessings. We were so blessed to have known her. She will be greatly missed. Phyllis is survived by her husband, Jesus; 1 son, David Gonzales of Muskegon; 3 daughters, Linda Gandy of Maryland, Christina Speese of Muskegon & Anita Gonzales of Twin Lake; several grandchildren & great grandchildren; 1 sister, Joanne (George) Sharrow of PA; 1 brother, Colin Fick of Marne, MI. She was preceded in death by 2 sons, Michael & Jesse Jr & a daughter, Rita Gonzales. Services are scheduled for Thursday, June 14, 2007, 1:00 PM at the Clock Chapel. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. A visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, 6-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory, upload a photo, or sign the online guest book.