Valerie Gonzalez, a 22-year-old hero, tragically lost her life while trying to save her two daughters from a devastating mobile home fire in Tempe, Arizona. Her family shared the heartbreaking news of her passing after bravely fighting for over two weeks.
“We don’t know why this happened, we really don’t know,” expressed Jennifer Gonzalez, Valerie’s aunt. “She was just starting her life, she was only 22 years old.”
Valerie’s world revolved around her two young daughters, Ariaelly, also known as Rose, and Ellany Ruiz.
“They were the best family one could imagine,” Jennifer Gonzalez said. “She loved them, they loved her, we loved being with them.”
The tragedy struck Valerie’s family on the night of August 25 when the mobile home they lived in was engulfed in flames, claiming the lives of four people including Valerie’s two daughters, her boyfriend, and his mother.
Valerie Gonzalez initially survived but was hospitalized in critical condition after bravely attempting to rescue her loved ones multiple times from the blazing inferno.
Her family now remembers her as a beautiful, cheerful, and charismatic young woman who will forever be cherished for the memories they shared.
“It’s not one specific memory that we remember, it’s all the memories that we cherish at this moment because we didn’t expect her to leave us so soon, her and the girls,” Jennifer Gonzalez reflected.
Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire as the family hopes to raise awareness about fire safety to prevent future tragedies.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the Gonzalez family cover the funeral expenses. Click here to donate.
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