Dear Friends and Family,

I am writing today with a heavy heart to honor my grandmother, Coli Gonzalez, whose home was tragically destroyed in the Eaton Fires between January 8th and January 9th. Her home, located in Altadena, California, has been a cherished cornerstone of our family’s history for decades.

Coli and my grandfather, Jesse Gonzalez, were two humble, working-class individuals who sacrificed and worked hard to provide for their family. They purchased this house in the 1960s and lovingly raised their six children there. Jesse worked for the City of Pasadena’s Department of Water and Power, while Coli devoted herself to creating a warm and nurturing home for their growing family.

After raising her children, Coli’s home became a hub for family gatherings. From grandchildren’s birthdays to Christmas and other holiday celebrations, her house was the backdrop to countless joyful memories. Over the years, it also served as a home to several of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

For anyone who knows my grandma, they know she is a woman of immense faith. She begins and ends every day with the Bible, prays for everyone she loves, and never lets anyone leave her house without reminding them to give thanks to God. She loves baking, gardening, reading her Bible, listening to gospel music, and working on puzzles and crosswords. She is resilient, strong, and a pillar of wisdom and strength in our family. Her values of faith, resilience, and family are deeply embedded in the lives of her descendants.

Additionally this would not be complete without mentioning my Auntie Terry, who lives with and cares for my grandma. Terry and her husband Terrence are well known in the neighborhood as dedicated and enthusiastic cyclists. If you’ve ever seen a cheerful pair with a smile on their face, riding around Altadena, the Rose Bowl, or at local cycling events, it was probably them!

This GoFundMe is a way to support my grandma and my Auntie Terry during this unimaginable time. Although we hope to receive support through insurance, FEMA, and other avenues, there will undoubtedly be gaps that need filling. Your generosity will help provide for any of the needs we cannot cover through other means.

If you can’t donate, please consider sharing this page and keeping them in your prayers. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for helping my grandmother and Auntie Terry during this time of need.

**This GoFundMe was created by Monica (Coli's granddaughter a.k.a Laura's youngest daughter). I grew up in my grandmas house in Altadena, CA. The money raised here is meant to cover any of my grandma or Auntie Terry's expenses that cannot be covered through other means like insurance, FEMA, etc.