Aurora L. Gonzales

On November 26, 2023 Aurora Lyles Gonzales fought the good fight, and finished the race. Through her fervent faith and the Grace of a Holy death she flew into the arms of Christ on the Solemnity of Christ the King.  As if that wasn’t enough, Jesus allowed her to enter heaven on our father Pete’s birthday.

She was known by many names, Mom, Vodie, Nana, Big-Nana, Sister, Tia, Guera, Abrahama, and after wiping out Fr. Tim in poker, Ali Babba and her 40 thieves. Aurora was born on June 8, 1934 to Edna Subia Lyles and Afron “Frank” Lyles.  She married the love of her life, Pete, and together they had 8 children.  They were both involved in the Cursillo Movement of Phoenix, spreading the love and light of Christ to many people.  

After a dream, she became devoted to Our Lady of Sorrows and offered her own sufferings for all the intentions she prayed for each day in her "Prayers" pot. We promised her that we would not fill her obituary with a list of things that she did in her life.  To honor that, here is a list of things she never did.  She never let a person come into her house and leave without listening to them, feeding them and blessing them on the way out; she never let a day go by without praying her Rosary for all the intentions asked of her by her family and friends; she never let us leave the house without resolving an argument, even if it meant her physically blocking the doorway; she never let a birthday go by without a card with $5.00 in it; she never let anyone leave for a trip, without a blessing and sending her angel with them; she never let a grandchild go outside with bare feet or wet hair even if it was 115 degrees; she never met a stray animal that she didn’t feed or nurse back to life; she never gave up on a soul that crossed her path; and she never let us forget that she “loved us more”.  

Her legacy is carried on by her children: Larry Sanchez (Lisa), Patty O’Neal (Casey), Deidre Lopez (Dody), Diane Blackburn (Roy), Zelda Graham (Doug), Geri Sibilla (Vic), Mary Cano (Charlie) and Peter Gonzales (Dee Dee), 26 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.  She also leaves behind her beloved siblings Frank Lyles and Hope Lyles and a multitude of family and friends. 

Please join us in celebrating her life with a viewing from 5:00-7:00 pm with a Rosary at 6:00 pm on Friday, December 1, 2023 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1954 North 24th Street, Phoenix, Arizona and Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 10:30 a.m.  at St. Agnes. Please feel free to join us in honoring Aurora by wearing an orange item/accessory or clothing ( her favorite color!)