Dona Ana County issued the following announcement on Dec. 14.
When Diane Gonzales Gomez, 62, a Doña Ana County resident in Tortugas passed away on Dec. 2, she left a behind a legacy of community involvement and caring that will be remembered for years to come.
She was a fierce and devoted leader who advocated for her community, calling out anything that detracted from its beauty, from dilapidated structures, to solid waste and environmental codes violations, to roadway related matters.
Gonzales suffered from debilitating arthritis, but did not complain. Instead, she continued working diligently. Recently, she worked closely with county staff as a member of the 2020 Regional Census Complete Count Committee, encouraging Tortugas residents to complete their forms.
She was a lifelong member of the League of United Latin American Citizens, LULAC, and served in various positions at the local, state and national levels. She also headed up the Tortugas Improvement Association that her father, Bobby, led for many years, and she was a major figure in the annual Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day and community meal, where she served attendees.
“Gonzales was a constant advocate for improvements to her Tortugas community,” said County Manager R. Fernando Macias. “Our thoughts are with her family and our community will also greatly miss her, her kindness, compassion and the dedication she showed for the betterment of society.”
In her memory, the Doña Ana County Board of Commissioners proclaimed Dec. 12 as Diane Gonzales Gomez Day. Her son, Jose Gomez, and her brothers, Marty Gonzales and Frank Gonzales attended the Board of County Commissioners’ meeting on Dec. 8 and accepted a proclamation honoring Diane Gonzales.
The county will fly the flag at the Government Center at half-mast, in her honor that day, which coincides with the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Original source can be found here.
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