1934 - 2018
Beloved mother, grandmother and friend. Born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico on June 4, 1934 to Eleanore and Zacharias Padilla. She was the second of four children; the eldest Luz, followed by brothers, Zacharias II, and Francisco. Doris survived all of her siblings.
As a celebration of her life, we will share with you her many accomplishments, of which we are profoundly proud. At 16 years old Doris moved from Puerto Rico to New York City.
Here she began a new life in a new land that was foreign to her. Though she spoke no English upon arrival, she endeavored to learn and taught herself. Her accomplishments were vast to include working as a seamstress at Princess Baby Wear, and other factory work. She never deviated from educating herself and from succeeding. She put herself through cosmetology school at Wilfred Beauty Academy and worked side by side with her dear friend, Lupe, at her salon. She went to driving school in a place where public transportation facilitated commute, becoming the first female in our immediate family to drive her own vehicle. Later, she worked as an office manager for Hope Community in New York City. Doris married Esmeraldo Colon. Together, they opened a ‘bodega’ in Spanish Harlem, NY, where they worked side by side to provide a better life for their family. Despite hardships, she always persevered.
They had three beautiful children: two daughters, Janet and Debbie, and one son, Steven. Later in life, Doris became grandmother to five girls, Alexis, Tracey, Allison, Kimberly, and Samantha, to whom she lovingly became better known as “Other Mami”.
Her beauty, intrepid spirit, quick-wit and strength still lives within her children and grandchildren. After a beautiful life filled with a tremendous amount of love, Doris passed in peace on December 3rd, 2018. May she rest in the warm embrace of our gracious creator, and may her spirit continue to live on in our hearts. Grief is the last act of love we have to give to those we loved. Where there is deep grief, there was great love.
