Monica Gonzales

Together and forever, we celebrate Monica Darden-Gonzales. She was born July 7, 1967, and passed away Saturday, June 28, 2025. Monica was raised in San Antonio, TX in an adventurous and loving family. Early in her life she met her soulmate, Gerard Gonzales. As they grew up together, Monica introduced him to things like fishing and camping, just as her father had taught her. Over time the sport became an activity they both found comfort, nostalgia, happiness, patience, and peace in. Married on Valentine’s Day of 1994, Monica and Gerard expanded their family and love by welcoming Brittany, Marshall, Dillon, and Fantasia to this world. Following in the path of her upbringing, Monica also taught her children how to cook, camp, explore, showed them games, and took them fishing at Goose Island. She loved supporting her kids on anything they found their footing in. Throughout her life, Monica would gain some enduring nicknames because of this. She went by “Coach Pinky” from her time participating in her children’s sports and “Big Mamma” as she brought joy, a sense of home, and comfort to those around her. Monica’s passion for baking and cooking would strengthen the more her family and community did. From teams and classmates of her children, to friends and neighbors, Monica was in the kitchen creating recipes for all to enjoy. She would even bake goods for her local postal workers or favorite baristas especially if they knew how to make her favorite beverage just right. Monica dreamed of one day opening a restaurant, or more of a food truck so that she would be able to drive around for the perfect spot, open up shop, and cast a fishing line while she took orders. Monica enjoyed time with her family joining in the random jokes, rap battles, or games they would make up on the spot. She loved returning to her childhood home with her kids so they too could celebrate, visit loved ones, and join in on the wholesome grand events held there. Monica became a grandmother in 2020 when her granddaughter Kavery was born to her son Dillon and his fiancé Nazaray Fuentes. Monica loved every bit of this new role they’ve given her. She even learned how to translate baby goo’s and gah’s so she could speak with Kavery as soon as she was born and as often as she could. Monica leaves behind her loving husband of 31 years, Gerard Gonzales. She leaves her four children, Brittany Darden-Gonzales (31), Marshall Gonzales (30), Dillon Gonzales (28), Fantasia Gonzales (27). She leaves her granddaughter Kavery Gonzales (5). Monica leaves her mother Irene Darden, stepmother Wanda Darden, and her father Paul Darden Sr. She leaves her siblings Paul Darden Jr., Tabatha Allen, Stacie Marshall, and Karla Bell. Monica too leaves her in-law siblings Maria Fifer, Edna Morales, John Gonzales, Lucy Gann. She leaves behind her nieces, nephews, and cousins. She leaves behind her friends. She also leaves behind her dogs, Bella and Xena Gonzales. While Monica leaves so many of us to move on to the next life, we know those who have gone before her will welcome her with open arms and comfort. They may even have her back to baking already, but for them this time and fishing as much as she wants. We know her lost pets Storm, Buster, Brownie, and Thunderball, are also waiting to cuddle with her again. Losing Monica “Big Mamma” Gonzales is a life altering change for us. We want to continue to celebrate her life, honor her love for family connections, and find peace in knowing she’s one with nature where she loved to get away to at any chance she could. We will continue to see Monica’s spirit in the light of the moon on the lake she loved to look up at. In the random pink items, the universe shows us, like the pink cars we may see while driving around knowing she wanted each one just because it was simply pink. We will have her spirit with us when out fishing, especially if the line gets caught. We will miss Monica and her impact on our life is so grand that forgetting her wouldn't even be an option. She knows we love her, and we know she loved us and will cherish the memories of the numerous ways she showed her love and support.

Monica Gonzales

July 7, 1967 - June 28, 2025