- Date Of Birth: February 21, 1929
- Date Of Death: May 25, 2021
- State: Oklahoma
Clorinda Gonzales passed away peacefully to a better place in the wee hours of the morning of May 25, 2021 at the age of 92.
Clorinda was born in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, on February 21, 1929 to Matias and Florencia (Chavez) Ulibarri. Since her father was a coal miner, she grew up in various mining towns in northern New Mexico where she experienced a diverse mix of international cultures. The family finally settled in Raton, New Mexico, where she ultimately met and married Alfonso “Al” Gonzales. When Al took a job with the Atomic Energy Commission (now the Department of Energy), Clorinda and Al, with their two children, moved to Los Alamos, NM…still a restricted city at the time due to the “Manhattan Project”. With a series of subsequent transfers, they moved to Albuquerque, NM, then to Amarillo, TX and finally back to Albuquerque. In 1993, after Al’s retirement, Clorinda and Al moved to Ardmore, OK to be closer to their children and grandchildren then living in Ardmore, OK and Dallas, TX. They were faithful members of St. Mary’s Catholic church in Ardmore. Following the death of Al in 2009, Clorinda enjoyed her remaining years surrounded by the laughter and loving presence of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also kept strong connections with her extended family through regular letters, phone calls and visits
Clorinda had a deep love for her dogs throughout her life, who she thought of as her children. She could always be found watching her “stories” (soap operas) on TV as she filed her nails. Clorinda enjoyed teaching her granddaughters how to make homemade sopaipillas and could never deny her sweet tooth. Although she lived in Oklahoma for the latter part of her life, Clorinda’s love for New Mexican cuisine and culture never left her.
Clorinda is survived by her sister Angelina Gonzales (Tony) Raton, NM; brother Joe Ulibarri (Rosa), Del Rio, TX; son Robert Gonzales (Jane) Ardmore, OK; daughter Carol Waldman, Guarare Arriba, Panama; granddaughters Lauren Gonzales (Mike McKenna), Fort Worth, TX; Shannon Steele (Daryl), Ardmore, OK; Cassandra Waldman, Fort Worth, TX; Clarissa Erickson (Andrew), Houston, TX; great-grandchildren Ruby and Dylan Steele; and a whole host of nephews, nieces and their children whom she cherished and loved. Clorinda was preceded in death by her parents, Matias and Florencia Ulibarri; husband, Al Gonzales; and sister, Lucile Salazar.
