Reyna del Carmen Gonzalez Gutierrez January 6, 1945-May 26, 2021
Carmen, as she was called by all who knew and loved her, passed away on May 26, 2021 at the age of 76. Carmen was born in Matagalpa, Nicaragua in 1945. She was the sixth of nine children born to Pedro and Margarita Gonzalez. Carmen married Antonio Rayo in 1964. They had five children: Janie Rayo Herrera (Ervin), Oscar Antonio (Elizabeth), Julio Ernesto, Lizzeth Margarita and Juan Carlos. Carmen was blessed with five grandchildren Jenny, Ervin and Stephanie Herrera and Dominic and Dylan Rayo; and two great grandchildren Victoria Ivana and Natalia Amelia Ramirez. A loving, giving and indomitable spirit, Carmen always opened her home to extended family and people in the community who needed help and shelter. During the 1979 civil war in Nicaragua, Carmen gathered family and neighbors, made sure they had enough food and shepherded them to safety in the countryside. This embodies her deep love and caring for people. In August of 1986, Carmen came to the United States to begin the next phase of her life starting in Los Angeles and later moving to San Leandro, CA. Surrounded by her five children and grandchildren, she lived a full and happy life in the Bay Area. She worked for 28 years at Otis Spunkmeyer on the muffin production line where she became the matriarch of the facility gaining the affection and respect of her co-workers. That was also the place where she met her love, Rodolfo Molina. They were married in 2000 and lived a beautiful life together until her death. Psalm 91 was her comfort and strength during the difficult times and remained her prayer throughout her life. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."”
A memorial service to celebrate Carmen’s life will be held at Sorensen Chapel, 1140 B Street in Hayward on Friday June 18th at 11 a.m. A burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Lone Tree Cemetery 24591 Fairview Ave, Hayward. Donations in Carmen’s honor can be made to the following organizations. 1. Doctors Without Borders – read what they are doing in Nicaragua. You can also donate from this page. https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/what-we-do/countries/nicaragua Your donation will go to support the Doctors Without Borders worldwide organization. 2. National Multiple Sclerosis Society https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Donate