Elba Iris Laboy

Elba Iris Laboy (Velez), 77, went to be with the Lord on May 17, 2026, at her home in Orlando, Florida. She was born on June 11, 1948, in Añasco, Puerto Rico, the daughter of the late Ana Celia Rosado and Gumersindo Roman Velez. In 1957, she migrated to Brooklyn, New York, with her parents and brothers, where she lived until moving to Florida in 2010.

Elba embraced many roles throughout her life, both personally and professionally. She often visited her mother and stepfather in Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico, and after retiring, would stay for as long as nine months at a time. She was an exemplary mother who demonstrated love, loyalty, and deep compassion. As a homemaker, she frequently volunteered at her children’s schools, assisted teachers on field trips, and attended every sporting event possible, endlessly cheering from the sidelines.

She also became involved in local politics, supporting grassroots campaigns in an effort to diversify the political system. On one memorable occasion, when a politician came to her door asking for her vote, she told him he could have it after he installed a stoplight at the end of her block. He did, and she kept her promise.

Elba loved the beach and spent as much time there as possible. Her children fondly remember weekend trips to Seven Lakes and Rockaway Beach that required waking up at 5:00 a.m. and staying until the sun went down. After moving to Florida, she continued enjoying the beach year-round with her children and young grandchildren.

Elba was probably the greatest Mets fan of all time. She fell in love with the team in 1963, when the Mets became New York’s National League team following the departure of the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants. She kept score of nearly every game through 2025 and was only too tired to continue during the 2026 season. In her younger years, she spent much of her free time at baseball fields, whether watching the Mets at Shea Stadium, attending her late husband’s softball games, or cheering on her son during Little League games. She later continued that tradition by attending her grandsons’ baseball games, Justin and Liam, and, of course, keeping score. Her favorite player was always the original Met, Ed Kranepool.

Elba was also an artist who created intricate crocheted pieces that she proudly displayed throughout her home. She often crocheted clothing for major family occasions, including her granddaughter Elisabeth’s baptism and her daughter Cynthia’s wedding. During her working years, she crocheted hats for coworkers and eventually created a small business, Elba’s Creations, where she sold custom-made hats.

After nearly two decades as a homemaker, Elba entered the workforce as a Mail Handler with the United States Postal Service. Within a few years, she advanced into supervisory roles and served as an Acting Supervisor until her retirement. She loved her work and found great satisfaction serving on numerous committees, including the safety committee and blood drive initiatives. Today, her awards and certificates remain proudly displayed in her home. Yet her greatest gift from the post office was meeting her life partner, Luis A. Sanabria. They worked together until her retirement and later moved to Orlando, Florida. Their love story lasted 36 years, until her final breath.

Elba is survived by her life partner, Luis A. Sanabria; her four children, Jose M. Rojas, Cynthia Rojas, Felix S. Laboy, and Betsy A. Sanabria; her 11 grandchildren, Emily Morales, Tiffany Rojas, Jonathan Rojas, Richard Rojas, Alexis Rojas, Justin J. Acevedo, Elisabeth I. Castro, Felix R. Laboy, Naomi Laboy, Liam Q. Laboy, and Luna B. Laboy; her great-grandchild, Elizabeth Morales; and her brother, Luis Velez.

In addition to her parents, Elba was preceded in death by her husband, Felix S. Laboy, Sr.; her brother, Manuel Velez; her stepbrother, Carlos Lebron; and her stepfather, Gumersindo Lebron.

She will be remembered for her fierce love of family, unwavering loyalty, and her joy of life.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Sunday, May 24, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Baldwin-Fairchild Conway Funeral Home, located at 1413 S. Semoran Blvd, Orlando, FL 32807.