Maxine Florence Gonzales

Maxine Florence Gonzales was born on March 22nd, 1931. Her parents, Henry Samuel Florence and Abigail Amanda Hintze, raised Maxine and her 12 siblings in Holladay, Utah. Maxine grew up in a yet-undeveloped Holladay, and she often spoke fondly of her childhood; she delivered milk for her family’s local dairy, rode horseback through the fields, and enjoyed Sunday afternoons spent in the mountains with her siblings. At a young age, Maxine also worked at the family-owned Alpine Rose Lodge in Brighton. Though she helped with much of the work at the lodge, her favorite memory was leading tourists on horseback while riding her favorite, plucky little horse named Dixie. From a young age, Maxine demonstrated strength and determination; she raced with the boys, fished with the boys, and even wore pants to school with the boys – an event, she often laughed about, which got her sent home from elementary school. She dedicated herself to any task she was given or which she elected to take upon herself. She was a good student, and she became an accomplished pianist. Until only a few years ago, her talents were called upon for many church and local services. Her strength and determination would serve her and bless others throughout the rest of her life.
Maxine married Gregory Robert (Bob) Gonzales, and together they raised eight children: Robert, Dorri, Amanda, Janine, Abigail, Gregory, Ginger, and Pilar. Although life could be busy and difficult with eight children, Maxine always made the best of every difficult situation, and her children have always admired her for this. Of course, her children didn’t always make it easy for her to be patient: countless baseball games, pranks, stray animals, and handsome young men at the door always kept Maxine on her toes. Maxine devoted her life to her children, and she instilled in them the importance of hard work and of living a happy life. Though difficult circumstances and the death of her daughter, Ginger, tested her strength and resilience, Maxine always fought to keep going and move ahead with a thankful heart.
Along with the adventures in her life, Maxine cherished the simple moments. Her family and friends know Maxine for her love of gardening, and she and her children and grandchildren would often spend summer afternoons and evenings working in her beautiful backyard. But Maxine’s love of gardening was more than a simple hobby: at the age of 65, Maxine started her own plant installation and maintenance company, Foliage. Her many years of gardening allowed her to establish a storehouse of information and knowledge about plants, and she was excited to share that knowledge of and her love for these plants with others. Her business, unsurprisingly, did well; she was such a capable and determined woman. On more than one occasion, Maxine impressed many passers-by and employees as they watched this strong, little woman navigate the hallways of their office buildings with her plants and equipment. Maxine’s strength and vivacity define her: she was always ready for an adventure, always willing and able to overcome challenges – both her own as well as others’, and always content to enjoy the simple pleasures that came at the end of a well-worked day. Maxine loved to sit out on her porch in the sun and watch the buzz of activity that came from her gardens: the hummingbirds, bluebirds, robins, and squirrels that loved to visit her yard brought her a joy and happiness that was simply infectious.
Maxine spent her life diligently working and serving, and she was uncomfortable with recognition for her endeavors: for her, what she did was just what she felt that she needed to do. But her unassuming manner and approach to life made her all the more admirable. Her contentedness and pride in her life and in what she had been able to accomplish was quiet, but her strength, work-ethic, and humility were obvious and inspiring to anyone who was fortunate enough to know her. She cherished her wonderful family and friends, and she was loved back tenfold. We’re grateful for the time that we had with her, but we miss her dearly. Her sweet, gentle manner and her infectious laugh will be missed, but we look forward to the day when we meet again. We love you, Maxine.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, January 14, 2017 at the Holladay 2nd Ward, 4568 S. Holladay Blvd., Holladay, UT at 11:00 AM. Friends and family may call at the church from 6:00-8:00 PM Friday evening and from 9:30-10:30 AM on the day of the service. Funeral Directors: Memorial Holladay-Cottonwood Mortuary. Interment: Holladay Memorial Park. Please share a memory at www.memorialutah.com
Service Information
Viewing January 13, 2017 at 6:00-8:00 PM
Salt Lake Holladay Stake, 4568 South Holladay Blvd, Holladay, Utah





Viewing January 14, 2017 at 9:30-10:30 AM
Salt Lake Holladay Stake, 4568 South Holladay Blvd, Holladay, Utah





Funeral Service
January 14, 2017 at 11:00 AM
Salt Lake Holladay Stake, 4568 South Holladay Blvd, Holladay, Utah