Maria Olympia Maldonado Gonzales' Obituary
Maria Olympia Maldonado Gonzales passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 26th, 2022. Referred to as "Cocho," she will be missed deeply by her husband of 23 years, Howard Gorenstein, and her family.
She was born on July 19, 1934 in Santa Cruz, Chile to Maria Raquel Gonzales and Jeronimo Maldonado. She infamously told the tale of her courtship, which began when she won Miss Spring at the local beauty pageant at the age of 16. Victor Armando Cubillos fell for her that night and together they had 9 children. In 1974, Cocho moved to the United States of America to prepare the way for her children to have a better life. She constantly told her children to study and focus on their education, a legacy that has led to successful children and grandchildren.
She will always be remembered as an elegantly beautiful and stylish woman. She took pride in her physical fitness and appearance, and spent every day, for years, running along The Strand in Redondo Beach, California. Gracefully winning a 5k race looked good on her! Her talents and passions included a career in Cosmetology, as well as starting and running a fashion clothing store. Behind all of her charisma we will never forget the love she had for hospitality. Cocho loved hosting and preparing delicious meals and forcing her guests to eat far more than they asked for. It was not uncommon for her to add two additional spoonfuls after you replied no to her asking if you wanted any more food. This was a popular way for her to show her love to her family. Cocho had a strong love for nature and animals, especially dogs. These values have been instilled in many of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
During a brief stint residing in Las Vegas, Nevada she met Howard Gorenstein while exercising in a gym. On March 27th 1999, Cocho and Howard married and remained together for 23 years. She tended to his every need and he loved her with everything in him. They remained inseparable until the moment she took her last breath. He, along with her family, will miss her very much.
She is preceded by her brothers Jeronimo, Luis, and Hugo Maldonado, along with her son, Armando Cubillos.
She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Howard Gorenstein; her four sons, Ricardo (Melba) Cubillos, Pablo Cubillos, Victor (Fidelina) Cubillos, Rodrigo (Estela) Cubillos; her four daughters, Marianela Hartman, Carmen Gloria (David) Thrall, Maria Isabel Peck, Maria Jovanna Marsh; as well as her 17 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
Cocho's remains will be spread at Redondo Beach in a private ceremony with her family. The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Maria Elena Amaro and Lily Rivera for tending to her with love and patience in her final years.
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