MARIA MUÑOZ CANDELARIA GÓMEZ

May 15, 1921 - January 28, 2022

She was known as “Ms. Candy” by her students at San Bernardino High School in the 1980’s - 90’s. María Muñoz Candelaria Gómez was born on May 15, 1921 in San Antonio, TX and passed away peacefully at age 100 in her San Bernardino, CA home of more than 70 years on January 28, 2022 where she was cared for by her family. She was preceded in death by her parents Andrés and María (Mendieta) Muñoz, seven brothers Alejandro, Carlos, Guillermo, Julio, Javier, Federico, and Humberto Muñoz in addition to her sister Delia Muñoz Colunga. María attended Washington Elementary School, Richardson Junior High School, and graduated with the Class of 1940 from San Bernardino High School. She also graduated from San Bernardino Valley College with an Associate Degree in 1973. Thereafter, she attended California State University San Bernardino while working part-time for the San Bernardino Unified School District as a Teacher’s Aide in various elementary schools and later as a Language Tutor at the high school level. She was an avid reader, a wonderful cook, and gardened with a passion to produce beautiful flowers to inspire the many visiting song birds. She also appreciated the importance of staying fit with daily exercise and enjoyed playing tennis. She is survived by her one younger brother Gilberto Muñoz. She is also survived by her three children: John Patrick Gomez, Laura Marie Gomez, and Mario Humberto Gomez (Pamela). In her garden of life, she was blessed with 7 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and 35 nieces and nephews with their respective families. A Mass honoring this dignified lady will be held at the Catholic Church of Montecito Memorial Park, Our Lady Queen of Peace on Friday, May 13, 2022 at Noon with interment immediately following.