Francisca Gonzalez

Francisca Gonzalez

Francisca “Panchy” Gonzalez, 79, of Jersey City and formerly of Caguas, Puerto Rico, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2025. A beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. Panchy was the heart of our family. She found joy in being surrounded by loved ones—whether dancing, singing, cooking, gardening, or attending church. Her greatest joy came from caring for her family, especially her grandchildren, who affectionately called her Oma and Abuela. That role was one of the crowning joys of her life.

Panchy was spirited and adventurous—driving her iconic green Impala or classic white Bonneville back from beaches and parks with her kids napping in the back seat. She had a mission wherever she went, and nothing could stop her from completing it. Even in her final days, she showed us her spunky side—lifting her eyebrows to let us know she was still in tune with us all. And who could forget the surprise many felt when learning her eyeliner was actually a tattoo?

She lived with purpose, passion, and unwavering devotion to her family. Her mantra, “Family first,” was not just a saying but a legacy passed on to her children and grandchildren.

Francisca is survived by her children: Minerva, Samuel, and Veronica; and her grandchildren: Shirley-Ann, Noah, Nicholas, Nathaniel, Ella-Lina, Nelson, Neil, Navin, Zackary, Anastasia, and loving family members Manuela, and Moises. She is also survived by her cherished siblings—Margarita, Santo, Jesus, Cholo, and Luisa, Ruben —and many nieces and nephews who adored her.

Though our hearts are heavy with grief, we are comforted by memories of joyful gatherings filled with music, laughter, dancing, and delicious food—all made richer by her presence. Her deep faith guided her through life’s challenges, and in the end, she left us like a butterfly, gently and gracefully, ready to be reunited in heaven with Papi, her grandchildren, and her beloved siblings.

We will miss her warmth, her laughter, her sweet kisses, and her one-of-a-kind expressions that brought smiles to every room she entered.
 

Visitation is Thursday, June 19, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Riotto Funeral Home & Cremation Company, 3205 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07306 (For GPS, please use the parking lot entrance at 14 Stagg St., Jersey City). Funeral is Friday, June 20, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, 340 Ridge Road, N. Arlington, NJ.