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Rebecca Jane (Rinker) Gonzales

Posted 2022-09-17 by mhenderson
Published by Arizona Daily Sun on Sep. 11, 2022 -
Flagstaff, Arizona -

>> Rebecca Jane Gonzales <<

And if by chance I should hold her, let me hold her for a time. But if
allowed just one possession, I would pick her from the garden, to be
mine."

Surrounded by her loving and caring family, Becky quietly passed in her
home on the early morning hours of August 3, 2022 - after a 2-year
battle with lymphoma. She was preceded in death by her father (Ruben
Rinker, Mesa AZ,) and a grandson (Christien Gonzales, Surprise AZ). She
is survived by her husband of 49 years, Richard, Flagstaff AZ, 3 sons
and a daughter - Chris Gonzales (Dawn), Surprise AZ, Cory Gonzales
(Kristina), Strawberry Point IA, Casey Gonzales (Corrie), Flagstaff AZ,
Carrie Gonzales, Flagstaff AZ, a grand-dog, Maggie Moo, Flagstaff AZ,
her mother, Dorothy Rinker, Mesa AZ, sisters Sharon Levario (Craig),
Mesa AZ, and Linda Gibbs, Louisville KY, a brother, Dan Rinker,
Flagstaff AZ, 9 grandchildren, 2 nephews and 7 nieces.

Becky was born in Sacramento CA. Shortly thereafter her family moved to
Colorado and then to northern Arizona. She attended elementary school in
White Cone, Page and Holbrook, AZ. She attended 8th and 9th grade at
East Flagstaff Jr High (now Mount Elden Middle School). Her family later
moved to Winslow AZ where she was enrolled at Winslow High School as a
sophomore. She met her future husband, Richard, her senior year at a
dance at the Elks Lodge during Christmas break. From that moment on they
became inseparable. She graduated with honors from WHS - class of 69.
She was a member of Meteorettes (dance line), Honor Society, GAA (Girls
Athletic Association), NOT (Nurses of Tomorrow), Speech and Drama, Jr.
and Sr. Plays and Bulldog Barks (school newspaper). She worked part-time
for the Winslow Mail newspaper while attending high school and
volunteered at Winslow Memorial Hospital during her senior year.

After graduation Becky attended Lamson's Business College in Phoenix AZ
and later transferred to Northern Arizona University where she earned
her Associates Degree in Secretarial Science. She worked part time while
attending classes for the NAU Athletic Department – then located in the
old Lumberjack gym. After receiving her degree Becky was hired as the
Administrative Assistant, NAU Speech and Theatre Department.

Becky and Richard married on August 11, 1973 at Desert View Baptist
Church, Winslow AZ. Becky worked one more year in the Speech and Theatre
Department while Richard completed his last year at NAU. Rich's career-
start then took them to Phoenix AZ. After four years in the hot valley
they relocated back to Flagstaff to a cooler and slower way of life.
Here they begin to set roots, start a family and raised 3 sons and a
daughter.

After a notable 29-year career with the Flagstaff Unified School
District, Becky retired after 23 years as the Administrative Assistant
to the Principal at Coconino High School. Her career with FUSD began at
Cromer Elementary School, when the school first opened, as an
Instructional Aid in 1991 and then as a General Aide from 1992-1997. As
her children grew older, she moved with them to CHS where she worked as
the Systems Data Clerk from 1997-2002. Becky embraced her position of
Administrative Assistant. She worked tirelessly to see and be a part of
the changes and challenges of staff and faculty and thousands of
students who passed through the doors at CHS . . . a legacy that will
live on for many years to come. Her dedication and involvement in her
work, from sports activities to graduation ceremonies, will not soon be
forgotten . . . Becky loved her job and especially the people she worked
with!

Becky kept a perfect balance between family and work. Spending quality
time with her family was first and foremost. Whether it was cheering
them on in their sports, school plays, dance recitals, talent shows,
award ceremonies, birthdays, education, graduation, and the list goes on
. . . Becky made sure to be there and be a part of their success and an
encouragement in their failures. She was her family's biggest cheer
leader. She loved to cook, bake and trying new recipes – especially
during holidays. She enjoyed being a wife, help mate, mother and
grandmother, aunt, sister, homemaker. She also enjoyed sewing,
decorating for the holidays, traveling, trying new restaurants, watching
movies at home or theatre, exploring, dancing two-step and waltz, being
outdoors, playing bunco with her bunco group, and hanging with her
besties. She was an avid reader and gave great hugs. Becky's smile was
infectious. She had a way of making everyone feel special. She loved and
was loved. Her affections are missed.

"Let her cry, for she's a lady, let her dream, for she's a child. Let
the rain fall down upon her. She's a free and gentle flower, growing
wild."

Lyrics from the song Wildfllower by Skylark

A Celebration Of Life will be held on November 5th, 2022 at 2 pm at
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 1601 N San Francisco Street,
Flagstaff AZ. Luncheon to follow.







Note: These obituaries are transcribed as published and are submitted by volunteers who have no connection to the families. They do not write the obituaries and have no further information other than what is posted within the obituaries. We do not do personal research. For this you would have to find a volunteer who does this or hire a professional researcher.

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