Vanessa R. Gonzalez

Vanessa Rubi Gonzalez was born in Dallas, Texas, on August 10th, 1993, to Belinda (Flatt) Gonzalez and Ruben Gonzalez. She graduated early from Quest High School in 2010. A couple years after graduating, Vanessa became the mother of a beautiful son, Bennett Liam Hale, 2012. Later in 2014, Vanessa moved to Hammond, Indiana, to live with her mother, Belinda, and sister, Natasha. She went to school to study occupational therapy because she was passionate about helping others. Shortly after, Vanessa met the love of her life, Jorge Guevara, in 2018, and in 2022, they welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Vera Maeve Guevara, into the world. Vanessa's most significant accomplishment was being a mother; she loved her children more than anything. Vanessa unexpectedly passed away in Chicago, Illinois, on May 8th, 2024, at the young age of 30.

Vanessa was preceded in death by her great grandparents, Millie (Mildred) Case and Benny Case; grandmother, Brenda Flat; aunts, Lisa (Pebbles) Mahoney, Barbra (Redd) Williams and Chasity Lane; stepmom, Kem McManus.

Vanessa is survived by her children, Bennett Liam Hale and Vera Maeve Guevara; mother, Belinda Smith; sisters, Natasha Gonzalez and her daughter, Amity Bednarke, Brittany and Scott Howerton; brother, Patrick McManus; partner, Jorge Guevara; uncles, Kelly Lane, Gary Lane, James and Cindy Carr, Josh and Brad, Jason and Veronica White; aunts, Susan and Jackie Sisk, Shannon Lane, Jessica and Ronnie Przewoznic, and Robbin Adams. Vanessa leaves behind several cousins and countless friends. 

Vanessa's love for her children, Bennett Liam Hale and Vera Maeve Guevara, was unparalleled. We will always remember her for her strong presence, odd sense of humor, love for music, art, animals (pugs and frogs), cow prints, Texas (and we can't forget about her love for Gerard Way), but most importantly, we will remember her love for her children. We'll always imagine hearing her say, "You're a star." We couldn't have asked for a better person to touch our lives, and we will miss her every day. Her memory will live on in the hearts (and radios) of all those who loved her. 

A celebration of life will be held for Vanessa in Indiana and Texas at a later date.

For additional information, please contact White Funeral Home at (219) 924-4100 or visit at www.whitefuneralhomeofgriffith.com

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