Harmon Funeral Home
Heaven received an angel this week. Just shy of a century ago in Oriente, Cuba, Zoila was born to Carlota and Guillermo Zayas. Being one of twelve children, caring for others came naturally to her. She migrated to New York in 1955 in the pursuit of a better life. With her love for learning, she studied all New York had to offer. She quickly became fluent in English and found employment as a dressmaker. She joined the Garment Industry and began working for Local 23, the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union (ILGWU). She always made sure to take care of her family in Cuba who were always in her heart. She always contributed to this country by working hard and sharing her talent as a dress maker. Because of her love for this country she became a United States citizen in 1967.
She married William Lawrence, the love of her life who also originated from Oriente, Cuba. A few short years later in 1962, she gave birth to their only child, a beautiful baby girl named Hepzibah. Two decades later in 1984, she became a grandmother for the first time and subsequently to three grandsons. However, in 1987 she decided to retire and devote her time and love to her best friend, her granddaughter Gina-Marie. Her desire to nurture lead her to become a foster parent in 1989. Her greatest joy in life was giving to others and spreading all the love she had to give. She was a devoted friend and those lucky enough to call her so, had an amazing lifelong companion.
Zoila passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family. She is preceded in death by her late husband William Lawrence and survived by her daughter Hepzibah, son-in-law Ricardo, granddaughter Gina-Marie, grandsons Ricardo Jr., William Lawrence, Julian Anthony and her great granddaughter Leila Nicole. Her siblings, Flor, Justina, Ana, Mongola and Mercedes.
Zoila, your strength was undeniable. You walked in dignity, in beauty and with nothing but love in your heart. You always supported all of your friends and family by encouraging them to face their fears and giving them the confidence to be strong and to overcome their struggles in life. You were the most amazing person in the world. A wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, godmother, grandmother and great grandmother.
You may be gone from our sight but you are never gone from our hearts. What is grief, but love persevering? It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone. Part of us went with you, wherever you may roam. Remembering you is easy. We do it every day, but there is an ache in our hearts that will never go away. The loss is immeasurable but so is the love left behind. How lucky are we to have someone that makes it so hard to say goodbye?
Celebration of Life for Zoila Lawrence
Date: Monday, February 13, 2023
Time: 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Place: Harmon Funeral Home
571 Forest Ave, Staten Island, NY 10310
Committal Service
Date: Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Time: 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Place: Evergreen Cemetery
Bushwick Ave & Conway St Brooklyn, NY 11207
Zoila Lawrence, age 98, of Staten Island, New York passed away on Tuesday, February 7, 2023.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.harmonfuneralhome.net for the Lawrence family.
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