Maryjane Gonzalez

Maryjane (Engert) Gonzalez, age 85, passed away peacefully on August 13, 2025. Maryjane spent the majority of her life in in San Diego, California and met her husband Pete in 1961 while he was in the U.S. Navy, stationed in San Diego. Maryjane and Pete married soon after they met and had three children. Maryjane moved with her husband from their family home in Old Town San Diego to Elkhorn, Nebraska in 2020, residing most recently at The Heritage at Legacy Retirement Center where she and her husband enjoyed a supportive community of friends. Maryjane was preceded in death by her parents, John and Katie Engert and brother Charles Engert. Maryjane’s surviving siblings are Alex Granillo, John Engert, Rosie Shands, and Frank Engert. Maryjane is also survived by her loving husband and best friend of 64 years, Pete Gonzalez; daughter, Maryjane (Manuel) Coito; son, Pete Jr. Gonzalez; daughter, Christina (Mike) Holling; grandchildren, Britni (John) Cammall, Anthony Coito, Laurel (Kyle) Coito, Evan Coito, Olivia Gonzalez, Anthony Gonzalez-Holling, Campbell Holling, Logan Holling; great-grandson, Ronin Cammall; and her many beloved extended family in Colorado and California. Maryjane devoted her time to caring for others, including operating a private daycare and she became a mother-like figure to multiple generations. She will always be known for her childlike spirit, big smile, and generous, compassionate, kind heart. Maryjane loved to garden, often seeking new flowers to add to her yard. Her front yard was admired by the many passersby, who would often stop and take photos in front of her charming flower garden. Maryjane also enjoyed searching for small treasures for her home, her garden, or her grandchildren at flea markets and garage sales. She was also notorious for adopting animals who needed a loving home and even had an extra-large aviary in her backyard with over 40 birds. Maryjane also enjoyed spending time with friends and family by taking extra-long walks. If she wasn’t caring for others, gardening, shopping for treasures, or taking long walks you would find Maryjane in front of a puzzle. Maryjane was a treasure that has left a legacy of teaching those who knew her how to bring joy to others through something as simple as a smile. Maryjane never truly knew how many lives she touched; she will be loved and missed greatly. A celebration of life will be held in Maryjane’s honor in Denver, Colorado on September 6th , 2025 however memorials can be sent to Scatter Joy Acres, a non-profit in the Omaha, Nebraska area that rescues animals of all kinds who are in need of some extra love and care but also provides animal assisted therapy to help provide comfort for humans. More information can be found at www.scatterjoyacres.org/donation.

Maryjane Gonzalez

November 28, 1939 - August 13, 2025