Cynthia Gonzalez

GONZALEZ, Cynthia Lee, 48, of Tampa, shortly after sunrise, ascended into heaven Monday, June 25, 2007. She was at home in peace, surrounded by her family. Cindy was a 1976 graduate of Penn Hills High School and a 1980 graduate of The Pennsylvania State University. Cindy earned her Master of Social Work degree with high honors from the University of South Florida in 1998. Cindy was born at Pittsburgh Hospital, Pa., July 29, 1958, and was a member of the Saint Bernadette Parish in Monroeville, Pa. Believing that each of us can make the world a better place, Cindy began her career in social work at the Children' s Institute and Turtle Creek Mental Health in Pittsburgh, Pa. In this, Cindy excelled and we are reminded of Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Foregoing any interest in material wealth, Cindy treated those she could with love, respect and understanding, recognizing that the power of humanity lies not in what we want to do, but in what we do together. The night of the Army Regimental Ball, Cindy agreed to marry her husband on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial. While living in Washington, D.C., Cindy became the acting director of a homeless shelter, attempting to meet the needs of men, women and their families. In 1990, Cindy became a resident of Davis Islands. In 1992, Cindy was an initiating member of a grass roots effort to open and operate the campaign headquarters for Paul Tsongas for President. After holding several positions on the board, Cindy became the president of the Gorrie Elementary School PTA. Cindy continued her professional social work career at the Mental Health Center, Inc. After completing her graduate degree, Cindy began her clinical social work with Tampa General Hospital, where her passion for providing emergency care and assisting women found its place. Cindy also chaired the Helping Hands Committee of the Lowry Elementary School PTA, delivering hundreds of gifts each year to children in need. Her pleasures included bridge, friendship, reading, history and politics. Cindy worshipped at Incarnation and Sacred Heart Catholic churches. In late 2004, Cindy was diagnosed with cancer. Struggling to preserve each moment for her family, she fought valiantly for her life well beyond all medical expectations. Devoted to her children, she continued to participate in classroom activities and shared the joy of encouraging her daughter' s zeal for showing horses at Avalon Riding Academy. After a life of giving, Cindy received compassionate care from the nurses at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center. Her tender spirit continues to touch all of us and our love for her is everlasting. Cindy is survived by her loving husband, Ralph L. Gonzalez; their four children, David, 24, Jason, 22, Jonathan, 15, and Sarah, 9; her parents, Charles E. Doria and Genevieve R. Doria; her siblings, Barbara and husband, Arthur Hawk, Linda and husband, Joe Marx, and Frank Doria and wife, Margie; her husband' s parents, Ralph G. Gonzalez and Margaret G. Gonzalez; and her husband' s siblings, Margaret and her husband, Blane Lickteig, Robert Gonzalez and his wife, Diana, Steven Gonzalez and his wife, Maria, and his sister, Angela Rowe. The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. Thursday, June 28, 2007, at Blount & Curry Funeral Home, West Chapel location, 6802 Silvermill Drive, Tampa, FL 33635, (813) 814-4444 or http://www.blountcurrywest.com/. A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, June 29, 2007, at Incarnation Catholic Church, 5124 Gateway Drive, Tampa, FL 33615 (at the intersection of West Hillsborough Avenue and Webb Road), (813) 885-7891 or http://www.icctampa.org/. A graveside ceremony will follow at Trinity Memorial Gardens, 12609 Memorial Drive, New Port Richey, FL 34655, (727) 376-7850. Donations may be made to the "Gonzalez Children Educational Trust in care of Ralph L. Gonzalez, Trustee," P.O. Box 142, Tampa, FL 33601-0142. Psalm 41:1-2 Blessed is he who considers the poor; The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, And he will be blessed on the Earth. Please sign the online guestbook at www.blountcurry.com