Maria Lisa Gomez

Maria Ligia Gomez Melo (Lisa), age 77, of Upper Arlington, OH, passed away on Friday, June 25, 2021, holding the hand of her beloved husband of 54 years, Jose Armando Gomez (Armando). As was her style, Lisa fought quietly, yet fiercely against her cancer.

Lisa was born on Thursday, April 20, 1944, in Bogota, Colombia to Luis María Melo Córdoba and Ana Dolores Rodríguez de Melo She was one of six sisters, Stella Melo, Clara Inés Melo de Matiz, Ana Mercedes Melo Rodríguez, Luz Marina Melo Rodríguez, and Mabel Patricia Melo de Polonía. Lisa was married on July 8, 1966 in Baltimore, Maryland to Jose Armando Gomez Montoya of Medellin, Colombia. She was a graduate of Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Bogota, Colombia, and studied English and executive administration. She emigrated to Madison, NJ in 1965 and was employed at JP Morgan Chase Bank for over 20 years. As part of the Credit Card services team she was a key player in establishing the Spanish phone line using her complete command of Spanish grammar.

Lisa was an avid Zumba and water aerobics fan, enjoying the music and her friends at Premier at Sawmill Athletic Club in Columbus, OH. A lover of sunshine, beach and water she lived, worked, and raised her family in Tampa, FL for over 30 years. She was a devoted attendant of St. Paul's Catholic Church in Tampa.

She is survived by her husband Jose Armando Gomez Montoya, her adoring daughters and sons-in-law, Andrea Eleanor Gomez Watkins, Steven Watkins of Atlanta, GA and Marcia Christine Gomez Fiore and Tony Fiore, Upper Arlington, OH. She is also survived by her beautiful grandchildren, Isabella Rose Watkins, Alejandro Joseph Fiore, and Gabriel Antonio Fiore and her loving sisters, Stella, Luz Marina, and Patricia.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Luis María Melo Córdoba (August 8, 1988) and Ana Dolores Rodríguez de Melo (February 6, 2006) and her sisters, Clara Inés Melo de Matiz (June 9, 2012) and Ana Mercedes Melo Rodríguez (September 2, 2020).

Her greatest joy in life was taking care of and watching her beloved grandchildren grow. Lisa (Abuela) was the heart and soul of the family, showering her grandchildren in love, hugs and food. While a tiny, beautiful package, the size of Lisa's love, smile and warmth more than made up for it and her patience, bravery, and strength, were only exceeded by the fierce love and friendship she bestowed upon her family and friends. Her love and light live on in all that knew her and the family that is her legacy.

The family will be taking their Abuela home to her beloved Colombia and services to be held in Bogota, Colombia, later this year. Arrangements are being made by SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST @ 614-457-5481. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, to donate to the American Cancer Society:

The family would like to say thank you to all of the family and friends for their love, strength and help over the last few months. Your strength and love was felt by us and certainly my mother and continues to be a great source of comfort in this painful hour.