Rosa I Cruz

Mrs. Cruz was born on April 29, 1949 in Hatillo, Puerto Rico to Modesto Luciano and Maria Sanchez. She was the beloved wife of Angel L. Cruz Sr.

Mrs. Cruz is survived by her husband, Angel L. Cruz Sr. of East Hartford; daughters, Edna Cruz of West Hartford, Marilyn Cruz-Carrasquillo of East Hartford, Jacqueline Cruz of East Hartford; son, Angel Cruz Jr. of East Hartford; 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Rosa came to Connecticut from Puerto Rico in 1965 and started to work the tobacco fields soon after, that is where she met her future husband Angel Cruz, Sr. They married in 1968 and soon after started their family and eventually settled in East Hartford. As the matriarch of the family, Rosa's cooking was always the main event during any family gathering or holiday party. When she wasn't cooking, you could always find her sipping her favorite cup of coffee while mastering her crosswords, watching novellas or playing dominos. Rosa believed that family was the most important thing in the world and did everything in her power to make sure her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren felt her love and support every day. For the past few years Rosa has been battling dementia and finally succumbed to the disease. However, her legacy, strong spirit, kind heart, and love of life will live on forever in the generations she touched.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, October 28, 2021 from 9:00AM until 11:30AM at Newkirk & Whitney Funeral Home, 318 Burnside Ave., East Hartford, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12:00 PM at St. Mary's Church, 15 Maplewood Ave., East Hartford, CT. Burial will immediately follow at Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield, CT.