Rose Gonzales
San Ildefonso
deceased (1900 – 1989)
Rose Cata Gonzales was originally from Ohkay Owingeh (San Juan) Pueblo and married into San Ildefonso Pueblo. Rose was a sister of Pomasena Sanchez; wife of Robert Gonzales; mother of Jose H. Rainbird Gonzales; Tse-Pé, Marie Gonzales Yazzie; Rose learned pottery making from Ramona Sanchez Gonzales, her mother-in-law. Rose’s parents died from the swine flu epidemic, leaving Rose and her sister, Pomasena, orphans. The girls survived by staying at the Santa Fe Indian School. An elder woman relative, Mary Cata adopted the girls and took care of them. Rose was Russell Sanchez’s great aunt, and was instrumental to him in the beginning of his career.