Herminia Goncalves

Herminia Goncalves, lovingly known as “Nena”, passed away at age 93 on November 11, 2023 in her home in Frisco, Texas surrounded by her family. Nena was born in the Dominican Republic in the city of Moca on July 20, 1930, and was the only child of Alicia and Marcos Almanzar. She is survived, loved, and missed by her son, Pedro Elias Checo, M.D., and his wife, Janett, her grandchildren, Alejandro (Alex), Nicolas (Nick) and Elisa Checo and her daughter; Alice Petranek and her husband, David along with her grandchildren, Peter (PJ), Mariella, Ariel and Briana; and her niece Ingrid Almanzar. She is preceded in death by her parents, Alicia and Marcos Almanzar, and husband Mario Goncalves.

Nena moved to New York City in 1961. Despite being in a new country, not speaking the language, and being alone, she managed to land on her feet, get a job, learn a new skill, and quickly become financially independent. Once she had secured an apartment and had the financial resources she needed, she sent for her son and her mother. Nena worked as a Data Entry Clerk for the DataTab Corporation until 1990, where she forged lifelong friendships with three very special women. In 1966, she met and married the love of her life, Mario Goncalves. He was a special man who understood that marrying her meant he was taking on the responsibility of an instant family that not only included Pedro, the son he would raise as his own, but also a mother-in-law who would always live with them until her passing in 1988. Together, they raised their children Pedro and Alice, whom they welcomed in 1969. The couple moved out of New York City and bought their first home in Queens in 1975, where they lived until they retired to Miami, Florida in 1991. In Miami they enjoyed being surrounded by extended family where they made many close friends. After losing her beloved husband in 1998, she and her-sister-in law Maria Juana and brother -in-law Raul Barovero eventually moved to Frisco in 2006 to be near her son and family. In 2007 she opened her home to Alice, PJ, and Mariella after they relocated to Frisco. She had a love for her family and friends that knew no bounds and continued to meet and make new friends well into her 90’s, cultivating deep and meaningful relationships. Nena also had a deep love for her New York Yankees and for playing the slot machines at the casino. Nena traveled all over the world, but her favorite trips were to visit her homeland, the Dominican Republic, and Portugal, her husband’s homeland. She loved trying new foods and became quite the foodie in her 90’s, but her absolute favorite cuisine was Dominican food-which would sometimes be shipped or even hand delivered to her by friends and family.

Family was everything to Nena and her grandchildren where her greatest source of joy. Nena had a deep and steadfast faith. She led a blessed life and used those blessing to continuously bless others. She was strong, generous, faithful, and loyal. Hers was a life well-lived.

Memorial Mass to be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church 8000 Eldorado Parkway Frisco, Texas

75033, On December 22, 3 p.m.