DELIA M. GONZALES

July 2, 1927 – April 20, 2016

Mitchell’s grandmother had a way about her. I remember it like it was yesterday. I couldn’t help but be in absolute awe of the way she wore her sunglasses, the way she served me her coffee, and the way she laughed at my jokes. She had a great laugh. I can’t remember the name of the lipstick she wore, but I think it was a little more pink than red. Her skin was youthful and radiant, more so than mine, even at age 77. Basically, I wanted to be her when I grew up. I still do.

I remember her accented voice, that of an immigrant, to say the least. She was so many things. She helped me with my Spanish. I helped her with her French. Only after her death did I realize how much I really idolize her; she was a translator and interpreter for the U.S. District Court for the central district of Illinois. She enjoyed singing at church and traveling abroad. She established The Language Center.

I can only wish to be a fraction of what Madame Gonzales represents to me: a beautiful married woman with stature and poise. I will miss her.

–Elizabeth Farrar, friend