Heaven gained a beautiful soul on the afternoon of September 2, 2020 when Rosella was called back into the loving arms of our Lord Jesus Christ. She passed away surrounded by her family after a long, hard-fought battle with liver disease. A devoted wife, mother, daughter, grandmother and great-grandmother, Rosella made her life in Del Rio, Texas where she touched the lives of countless members of the community. She will be fondly remembered by family and friends as a woman of profound faith, an exceptional artist and baker, and a selfless daughter of God whose love of others was limitless.
Known throughout Del Rio for her “creations”, Rosella baked and decorated cakes for weddings, quinceañeras, birthdays, and any other event that would bring families and friends together to celebrate. She shared her love of others and joy for life by making decorations and mementos to bring special meaning to the moments in the lives of those she encountered. She expressed her love of her faith as a Eucharistic Minister, Marriage Preparation Mentor, and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus, helping those of the St. Joseph community grow deeper in the faith that was so profoundly important in her life. But most of all, the greatest joy in Rosella’s life came in the moments shared with her family, captured in countless photographs and cherished memories.
She is preceded in death by her father, Jesus Ma. Gonzalez, her sister Myria G. Fernandez, and numerous beloved aunts and uncles. She is survived by her devoted husband, Capt. Anthony Van Goethem; her mother Minerva G. Gonzalez; her sister Dina G. Sanchez and her brother Dr. Jesus M. Gonzalez (Myriam); her daughters Antonella J. Hebdon (Larry), Theresa V. Meyers (Ryan), and Lucy M. Van Goethem; her grandchildren Christina A. Bracamonte (Salvador), Larry M. Hebdon III (Karin) and Sofia I. Meyers; her great-grandsons Benjamin Bracamonte-Reeth and Adam D. Hebdon and abundant nieces and nephews, cousins and extended family.
A Visitation will be held on Monday, September 7, 2020 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Sunset Memorial Oaks Funeral Home.
A Mass of Christian burial will take place on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 10:00 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Del Rio, Texas with interment to follow at Sunset Memorial Cemetery.
The family would like to extend its humble appreciation to all of the amazing healthcare personnel at InHome Health of Del Rio, Heart to Heart Hospice of San Antonio, Val Verde Regional Medical Center, and Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital of San Antonio. In lieu of flowers, the family humbly requests that donations be sent to Cross Catholic Charities or the St. Vincent De Paul of St. Joseph Catholic Church.