Marta I. Fuentes

Marta Isabel Montesino Fuentes was born in Rancho Veloz, Las Villas, Cuba, on November 5, 1931, and passed away peacefully in her home in Newark, NJ, surrounded by her family on May 24, 2026. Marta lived a long life marked by steady grace and quiet strength.

A naturalized citizen, she immigrated to the United States with her family in 1967, settling in Newark, NJ, where she raised her children and helped raise her grandchildren. A modiste trained from infancy by her aunts, she continued her seamstress work many years past retirement. Her favorite task was helping design and construct many of the family's communion, prom, and wedding dresses.

Marta was the stuff that true matriarchs are made of, and her loving and altruistic nature will be missed forever.

She is survived by her husband, Jose Fuentes and her son Ariel Fuentes and husband, Brian Sigley; daughter Odalys (Ody) Fuentes, daughter Rita Ceballos and grandchildren: grandson Jesus Ceballos, Jr. and wife Neryluz Ceballos; granddaughter Rita Ceballos Vazquez and husband Juan Vazquez; great grandchildren: Yonathan, Ysabel and Ylias Vazquez and Sofia, Kara and Jesus Ceballos III; siblings: Miguel, Marina, Isela, Gumercinda, Ramon, Pedro, Blasa, Zenaida, Magaly, Orlando and countless nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her infant daughter, Lourdes Maria, son-in-law, Jesus Ceballos, Sr., her parents, Santiago Montesino and Elvira Gonzalez, and siblings Santiago, Iznarda, Idalia, and Cristobal.

A beloved and cherished presence to those who knew her, Marta will be remembered for a compassionate heart and a gentle way of being that brought comfort in both ordinary moments and times of need. Her devoted spirit and faithful nature were evident in the care she showed to others, offered without fanfare and with sincere constancy.

Marta’s generosity, expressed through simple kindness and thoughtful attention, left an enduring imprint on family, friends, and all who had the privilege of sharing in her life. She will be deeply missed and respectfully remembered.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Marta's memory to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, www.stjude.org