Obituary for Felicita Matos
**The Livestream for Felicita's Service will being at appx. 12 noon under the Photos & Videos tab of her Tribute Wall **
In His Service….
Obituary for Felicita (Fela) Matos
December 23rd, 1939 to November 11th, 2020
On November 11th, 2020, Felicita Matos (Cruz), was called home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, while hospitalized at Garnet Health Medical Center (formerly known as Orange Regional) in Middletown, New York. Felicita was surrounded by her loving family, as God gently took her hand and led her home to heaven, where her dear loved ones joyfully waited for her.
Felicita, aka Fela, was born on December 23rd, 1939, in Trujillo Alto, PR, to Pablo Cruz and Eladia De Leon. The eldest of 8 children, when Fela was merely 40 days old, she went to live with her beloved paternal grandfather Felix Cruz, a devout Baptist, and his wife, Fela’s dear surrogate mother, Daniela Matos.
In 1958, Fela graduated from High School, in Trujillo Alto, PR. Unfortunately, her dreams of going to college could not come true, as this was not affordable. Fela obtained a job and worked at a factory, for a brief time. Subsequently, on June 18th, 1961, Fela married Juan (Guane) Matos. Later, in 1969, Guane and Fela relocated to New York City, in search of a more promising future for their family. After 35 years of marriage, Guane passed away on September 16th, 1996, at the age of 64. He was survived by his loving and praying wife, Fela and their 3 daughters, Carmen Milagros, Felicita (Tati) and Wanda Yvette Matos.
Fela, a devout, born-again, Christian, attended La Trinidad Pentecostal Church, for most of her adult life, from 1976 to 2016. Due to illness, she eventually could not attend as fervently as she once did, and much to her disappointment, the church eventually closed its doors, as it transferred to a different church body, under different leadership and with a new name.
Fela dedicated a large portion of her time to The Lord’s Service, by volunteering at the church and getting involved in various ministries. Utilizing her fantastic culinary skills, she prepared meals such as pasteles, for fundraising; taught Sunday School; led the Women’s Association; was Deaconess and Church Official, serving as Trustee Member and President of Trustees. In addition, Fela an avid reader and learner, attended Arca de Noe Bible Institute, where she completed 4 years of Bible Instruction in subjects such as The History of the Christian Church. But besides ministry, Fela also took great pride in her various roles as Mother, Wife and Grandmother. She was the epitome of a Mama Bear, watching over her children and grandchildren, with great tenacity and care! Fela cooked, cleaned, did laundry, shopped for meals, and raised three very strong women, who eventually married God-fearing and loving men, in obedience to God and their mother!
Fela’s legacy is her loving and faith filled children and grandchildren. As a strong woman of faith, she was deeply instrumental in her daughters’ successful, Godly, marriages, lasting 9 years (due to death); 35 years (due to death) and presently 23 years—and counting! Fela’s legacy has been passed down to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. God certainly heard her prayers and similarly to Noemi, in the Bible, blessed her with children in law, who became the sons she never bore! Besides raising her daughters, Fela also had the privilege of caring for all 5 of her grandchildren, teaching them Spanish and the Word of God, as she encouraged them and prayed for them, fervently.
Regrettably, on September 26th, 1998, Fela lost her middle daughter, Tati, to illness, when Tati was just 33 years of age and married for 9 of those years. This was a very difficult loss for Fela to process, but her remaining daughters, Milagros and Wanda, and “sons”, Ernest and Alex, supported Fela along the way. Sadly, Fela, eventually struggled with dementia, perhaps because the loss of her middle child was just too much to bear. Fela, who contracted Covid-19 in April 2020, actually survived it! But, tragically and unexpectedly, her eldest daughter, Milagros, lost her life to this same virus, on April 10th, 2020. Shortly after this, Fela moved from her home of 27 years, in the Bronx, New York, to Middletown, NY, joining her children, Wanda and Alex and grandson Lucas Caleb.
Fela is survived by her youngest daughter, Wanda Matos-Maisonave; sons (in law) Rev. Ernesto Martinez Sr., and Sgt. Alexis Maisonave; five grandchildren Ernesto Jr, Jonathan, Vanessa and Rebeca Martinez, and Lucas Caleb Maisonave; great grandchildren Ryan, Ari, Ariella, Ava, Savannah and Giovanni; and six of her siblings: Felix, Carlos, Rosa, Carmen, Pablo and Mercedes, as well as a number of nieces and nephews.
A ”Going Home Celebration” (Christian Funeral Service) will be held on Monday, November 16th, from 11 AM to 1 PM, at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home Inc, at 130 Highland Avenue, Middletown, NY 10940. The actual service will be streamed live, at 12 noon and will be officiated by Fela’s son in law, Minister Ernesto O. Martinez. The burial will take place immediately following the “Going Home Celebration,” at Hillside Cemetery in Middletown, NY. If anyone wishes to make a donation in remembrance of Felicita Matos, they should contact Garnet Health Foundation or The Dementia Society of America.
Thank you and God bless you, on behalf of the Matos-Maisonave and Martinez families!
Read More
In His Service….
Obituary for Felicita (Fela) Matos
December 23rd, 1939 to November 11th, 2020
On November 11th, 2020, Felicita Matos (Cruz), was called home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, while hospitalized at Garnet Health Medical Center (formerly known as Orange Regional) in Middletown, New York. Felicita was surrounded by her loving family, as God gently took her hand and led her home to heaven, where her dear loved ones joyfully waited for her.
Felicita, aka Fela, was born on December 23rd, 1939, in Trujillo Alto, PR, to Pablo Cruz and Eladia De Leon. The eldest of 8 children, when Fela was merely 40 days old, she went to live with her beloved paternal grandfather Felix Cruz, a devout Baptist, and his wife, Fela’s dear surrogate mother, Daniela Matos.
In 1958, Fela graduated from High School, in Trujillo Alto, PR. Unfortunately, her dreams of going to college could not come true, as this was not affordable. Fela obtained a job and worked at a factory, for a brief time. Subsequently, on June 18th, 1961, Fela married Juan (Guane) Matos. Later, in 1969, Guane and Fela relocated to New York City, in search of a more promising future for their family. After 35 years of marriage, Guane passed away on September 16th, 1996, at the age of 64. He was survived by his loving and praying wife, Fela and their 3 daughters, Carmen Milagros, Felicita (Tati) and Wanda Yvette Matos.
Fela, a devout, born-again, Christian, attended La Trinidad Pentecostal Church, for most of her adult life, from 1976 to 2016. Due to illness, she eventually could not attend as fervently as she once did, and much to her disappointment, the church eventually closed its doors, as it transferred to a different church body, under different leadership and with a new name.
Fela dedicated a large portion of her time to The Lord’s Service, by volunteering at the church and getting involved in various ministries. Utilizing her fantastic culinary skills, she prepared meals such as pasteles, for fundraising; taught Sunday School; led the Women’s Association; was Deaconess and Church Official, serving as Trustee Member and President of Trustees. In addition, Fela an avid reader and learner, attended Arca de Noe Bible Institute, where she completed 4 years of Bible Instruction in subjects such as The History of the Christian Church. But besides ministry, Fela also took great pride in her various roles as Mother, Wife and Grandmother. She was the epitome of a Mama Bear, watching over her children and grandchildren, with great tenacity and care! Fela cooked, cleaned, did laundry, shopped for meals, and raised three very strong women, who eventually married God-fearing and loving men, in obedience to God and their mother!
Fela’s legacy is her loving and faith filled children and grandchildren. As a strong woman of faith, she was deeply instrumental in her daughters’ successful, Godly, marriages, lasting 9 years (due to death); 35 years (due to death) and presently 23 years—and counting! Fela’s legacy has been passed down to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. God certainly heard her prayers and similarly to Noemi, in the Bible, blessed her with children in law, who became the sons she never bore! Besides raising her daughters, Fela also had the privilege of caring for all 5 of her grandchildren, teaching them Spanish and the Word of God, as she encouraged them and prayed for them, fervently.
Regrettably, on September 26th, 1998, Fela lost her middle daughter, Tati, to illness, when Tati was just 33 years of age and married for 9 of those years. This was a very difficult loss for Fela to process, but her remaining daughters, Milagros and Wanda, and “sons”, Ernest and Alex, supported Fela along the way. Sadly, Fela, eventually struggled with dementia, perhaps because the loss of her middle child was just too much to bear. Fela, who contracted Covid-19 in April 2020, actually survived it! But, tragically and unexpectedly, her eldest daughter, Milagros, lost her life to this same virus, on April 10th, 2020. Shortly after this, Fela moved from her home of 27 years, in the Bronx, New York, to Middletown, NY, joining her children, Wanda and Alex and grandson Lucas Caleb.
Fela is survived by her youngest daughter, Wanda Matos-Maisonave; sons (in law) Rev. Ernesto Martinez Sr., and Sgt. Alexis Maisonave; five grandchildren Ernesto Jr, Jonathan, Vanessa and Rebeca Martinez, and Lucas Caleb Maisonave; great grandchildren Ryan, Ari, Ariella, Ava, Savannah and Giovanni; and six of her siblings: Felix, Carlos, Rosa, Carmen, Pablo and Mercedes, as well as a number of nieces and nephews.
A ”Going Home Celebration” (Christian Funeral Service) will be held on Monday, November 16th, from 11 AM to 1 PM, at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home Inc, at 130 Highland Avenue, Middletown, NY 10940. The actual service will be streamed live, at 12 noon and will be officiated by Fela’s son in law, Minister Ernesto O. Martinez. The burial will take place immediately following the “Going Home Celebration,” at Hillside Cemetery in Middletown, NY. If anyone wishes to make a donation in remembrance of Felicita Matos, they should contact Garnet Health Foundation or The Dementia Society of America.
Thank you and God bless you, on behalf of the Matos-Maisonave and Martinez families!
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Previous Events
Visitation
Monday
16
Nov
11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home
130 Highland Ave.
Middletown, NY 10940
Cemetery Details
Location
Hillside Cemetery
160 Mulberry Street
Middletown, NY 10940
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