Elvira Margarita Goodman

Dr. Elvira Margarita Guerrero Bonnet de Goodman, 79, was born on February 26, 1933, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. A city established and named by Admiral Christopher Columbus, who described the land as the most beautiful he had ever seen.

Elvira is a descendant of the Spanish and French colonists of the Americas. Family members can be traced to the third voyage of Columbus to the newly settled island of Hispaniola. Elvira was baptized at Cathedral de Santa María la Menor, the first cathedral erected in the Americas (Decreed 1512, Completed 1540, as the Primate of the Americas). Elvira was the first woman in her family to receive a Doctorate in Law in 1956 from the University of Santo Domingo (Established in 1538 as the first university of the New World). She received her Baccalaureate in 1951 from the Escuela Instituto de Señoritas Salome Ureña, where she was an outstanding student and good friend to many.

Her family not only traces its roots directly to Spain and France, but also to the patriots, known as the Trinitarios, which brought the independent country of the Dominican Republic into being. Her ancestor, José Reyes, composed the Dominican national anthem. Her father, Licenciado Miguel Antonio Guerrero Peynado, 33rd degree, was the Sovereign Grand Commander of the Masonic Jurisdiction of the Dominican Republic (Founded February 16, 1861) from 1968 to his passing in 1978.

Elvira loved two countries, her native Dominican Republic and the United States, where she became a naturalized citizen. She loved life, enjoyed her family, had a great sense of humor, and was a very loyal friend. Elvira resided in Long Beach, California, and passed away on November 21, 2012. She is survived by her devoted husband of 50 years, a loving daughter, a dedicated son-in-law, and two sweet grandsons whom she adored. She is also survived by three siblings who loved her very much.

She will be missed. May her spirit rejoice in heaven in the tender care of God's love.

El Libro Del Destino / The Book of Destiny

"En la orilla de un lago dormido a la sombra que dan los laureles,
Sobre un banco de piedra escondido en la negra penumbra que crece,
Hay un libro, y sus hojas abiertas mueve el aire en su ritmo contínuo.
En un lado está escrito: "Poeta, aquí está la verdad del destino".

Caen las hojas que el viento se lleva al igual que ilusiones perdidas,
Y las aguas del lago reflejan las estrellas que hermosas titilan.

El afán de leerlo me lleva hasta el libro que yace en el banco,
Y al abrir su portada de seda ví con pena que el libro era en blanco."

***

"At the edge of a dormant lake, in the shade of laurels,
On a stone bench hidden by the growing darkness of twilight,
There lies a book and its open pages move in the air with a continuous rhythm.
On one side is written: "Poet, here is the truth of destiny".

Leaves carried by the wind fall like lost illusions,
And the water of the lake reflects the stars shining beautifully.

My enthusiasm to read it takes me to the book that lies on the bench.
Upon turnings its title pages I see with disappointment that the book is blank."

El Libro Del Destino by Juan Bosch. Translation by Joy de Herrera.
Written in La Vega Real, Dominican Republic at age 16 in the Spring of 1926
under the pen name Rigoberto De Fresni.

Elvira's memorial was held on Friday, November 30, 2012 at Saint Bartholomew Church in Long Beach, California with Rev. Msgr. Bernard Leheny presiding.