Rhonda Annette Gonzalez

NEPTUNE, NEW JERSEY – Rhonda Annette (Riley) Gonzalez passed away Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at the Jersey Shore Medical Center, Neptune, New Jersey.  She was born September 9, 1961 in Saint Louis, Missouri to Myrne Rodney Riley and Ethel Annette Young.  She started school in University City, Missouri, continued several grades in Rolla, Missouri and spent her 4th grade in the International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with her mother and 4 siblings while her Father worked in Vietnam.  Rhonda continued schooling in Rolla, Missouri and Fayetteville, North Carolina through her junior year at Terry Sanford High School.  She finished her senior year and graduated from Martinsville High School in Martinsville, Virginia.  She was honored to be on her high school’s queen’s court.  Rhonda attended Brigham Young University for three years and completed her higher education at Utah Valley University.

Rhonda worked many years for Marriott Hotels both in Salt Lake City, Utah and Newark, New Jersey.  Mr. J. Willard Marriott always asked for Rhonda to work on the main floor of the hotel during his visits to Utah.  She managed Marriott’s public relations on the main floor during his visits.  After college she moved to New Jersey where she had a promotion with Marriott Hotels.   It was there she met Andres Carlos Gonzalez and was married in the Washington DC Temple on June 14, 1986.

Rhonda was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  She spent most of her life teaching the youth and excelled in teaching early morning Seminary.  She was a true daughter of the Utah Pioneers.  Her 3rd great grandfather came into the Utah valley in the Brigham Young Company.

Rhonda is survived by her husband, Andres Carlos Gonzalez, her daughter, Brittney Nicole Gonzalez, her parents Myrne R. Riley and Ethel A. Young, her brothers Timothy A., Eric B., and Jeffrey D. Riley, and her sisters, Laura L., and Christine L. Riley.

A graveside ceremony will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at the Bountiful City Cemetery.