Her altar has become so popular among loved ones that she’s setting it up this year on her front porch - instead of inside her home - for the first time for others to enjoy. She’s entered the ofrenda contests at the city’s Muertos Fest two or three times. Her sister’s children are now in their teens, and less likely to help out with the decorations, so she’s taken over crafting and designing all the sugar skulls. What started as an arts and crafts activity to help the children cope with their mother’s passing has evolved into an annual spectacle at Gonzales’ West Side home. After her sister’s death in 2009, Gonzales decided that, together with her nieces and nephews, it was time to make the family’s first ofrenda. Gonzales’ family didn’t celebrate the holiday when she was young, but she’d always wanted to learn about Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, to feel more connected with her heritage. Gonzales also honors her mother and grandparents with the altar. She did it so they would remember their mother. Gonzales started the tradition in 2009 soon after her sister, Hilda Garza, died, leaving behind five young children. Yvette Gonzales, 45, places catrinas by a photograph of her grandparents, Vicente and Theresa Orta, as she assembles her altar for Dia de Los Muertos, Tuesday, Oct. “I wanted to do something just for them,” Gonzales said, “to keep her memory and her spirit alive.” She left behind five children, the youngest of whom was 2 years old. Gonzales also remembers the tender moments, like how little time she had to say goodbye to her sister, who died less than a year after being diagnosed with cervical cancer. She loved it so much that after once running out of the soda at home, she asked a neighbor to borrow a cup until she could make a trip to the store. She always adds a miniature bottle of Coca Cola - her late mother’s favorite drink. Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News Show More Show LessĮach year, the memories come flooding in as Yvette Gonzales carefully constructs an altar to honor the spirits of her loved ones for Día de los Muertos. Yvette Gonzales uses miniature objects on her altar for Dia de Los Muertos, Tuesday, Oct. Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News Show More Show Less 5 of5 Yvette Gonzales keeps items used on her first altar for Dia de Los Muertos, Tuesday, Oct. Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News Show More Show Less 4 of5 s photograph is center with her grandparents, Vicente and Theresa Orta, photograph in the frame.She holds a photo of her mother, Alicia Rodriguez. Yvette Gonzales uses photographs of deceased relatives on her altar for Dia de Los Muertos, Tuesday, Oct. Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News Show More Show Less 3 of5 She did so they would remember their mother. Yvette Gonzales sets up her altar for Dia de Los Muertos, Tuesday, Oct. Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News Show More Show Less 2 of5
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