Gregoria Alonso, better known as Goya Alonso, a prominent community figure from the Anaga massif and recently awarded the 2024 Canary Islands Gold Medal, has passed away, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and commitment to her land and its people.
Cherished as the ‘Mayor of Anaga’, she devoted over fifty years to fighting for the rights of residents in the local hamlets. Her example of persistence and approachability made her an indispensable figure in the social and communal life of the Rural Park.
A Life of Community Struggle
Daughter of Ángel Alonso, the last village mayor of Afur, Goya continued the path of community involvement set by her family. Through local organisations, she achieved historical advancements for small rural communities, including the asphalt paving of the dirt track connecting the hamlets to the capital of Tenerife, the provision of ambulance and medical services, the equalisation of bus fares between Santa Cruz and La Laguna, and the re-establishment of a road maintenance team.
Her dedication was also crucial in uniting Afur and Roque Negro and in championing the natural and cultural values of the area, earning her a position on the Board of the Anaga Biosphere Reserve.
#Canarias has lost a unique, brave, and generous woman. Goya Alonso, our beloved ‘Mayor of Anaga’ and the 2024 Gold Medal of the Canary Islands, dedicated her life to caring for her people and her land. Her legacy will endure forever. My condolences to her family and friends. FC… pic.twitter.com/W4IMUA9Ggu
— Fernando Clavijo (@FClavijoBatlle) August 31, 2025
Recognised by the Canary Islands
The Government of the Canary Islands awarded her the Gold Medal of the Canary Islands 2024 in recognition of her trajectory and role as a historical leader of Anaga. Residents, organisations, and authorities highlighted her “heart as big as her commitment”, a description that resonates strongly in light of her passing.
Farewell
The funeral chapel is set up in room 8 of the Servisa funeral home, near the North motorway (Ikea area). The burial will take place this Monday at 12:40 PM.
