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Bertha Elia Gonzalez February 5, 1949 – April 8, 2014 Our beloved "Geema", mother and sister spent her last days surrounded by family and friends. Bertha Elia Gonzalez loved life and gave a lot of energy into fighting cancer. She said she wanted to live long enough to take one last trip with her daughter, Ana Laura Gonzalez, and her grandsons, Diego Joaquin and Orlando Luis Chapa. Bertha was devoted to her "Lulitos" parents. Last Christmas she put great effort into preparations for the holidays and the time she would spend with the boys, her daughter and their father Chris Chapa. When they visited in March, Bertha was grateful for spending precious time with her grandsons. Bertha's passion was education. Inspired by her parents, Bertha and Reynaldo Rodriguez, she worked hard to make it possible for students to complete school and attend college. Bertha first taught in El Paso, Texas. Moving back home Bertha joined the San Antonio Independent School District. She taught in special education and English Language Arts. She worked as a school counselor for the last half of her career. Bertha's family of schools included Japhet Elementary and Whittier Middle School. She served as a counselor at Green Elementary, Cooper Middle School, and Jefferson High School. Bertha formally retired when she was at Jefferson High School for a total of 35 years of service. Until last fall, she continued to work part time in a counseling position at Cooper Academy. She was respected by her colleagues and enjoyed everyone she worked with and said she always wanted to be of service. Bertha is survived by her daughter, grandsons and their father, nephew, Hector Rey Cardenas, her sisters Diana Rodriguez, Pita Rodriguez, Sandra Rodriguez, and her brother-in-law, Raul Guerra. She was born in Eagle Pass, Texas, where her aunts, Petra and Eloisa Gil, still live. She is also survived by many cousins. Bertha was rich in friends and she was happy to have spent so much time with them. She was grateful for their lasting friendship. The family is also grateful to all who were with Bertha and to Father Charles for coming to her side. For those wishing to make donations may do so to St. Paul's House of Mercy, St. Paul's Parish.

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Bertha Elia Gonzalez

February 5, 1949 - April 8, 2014