Gonzalez

Cynthia Lee Gonzalez, 48, of Tampa, Fla., shortly after sunrise, ascended into heaven on Monday. 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 Penn State University. Cindy earned her Masters of Social Work with high honors from the University of South Florida in 1998.

Cindy was born at Pittsburgh Hospital, July 29, 1958, and was a member of St. Bernadette Parish in Monroeville.

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. 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 Island. In 1992, she 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 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 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.

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 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.

<B>GONZALEZ</B> — A funeral service for Cynthia Lee Gonzalez, who died Monday, June 25, 2007. was held today at Incarnation Catholic Church, Tampa. A graveside ceremony followed at Trinity Memorial Gardens, New Port Richey, Fla.Donations may be made to the Gonzalez Children Educational Trust, c/o 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.