Waida Martinez

Waida Maricell Rivera Martinez, 62, of Manchester, CT, loving wife of Anthony Martinez, peacefully entered eternal rest unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, with her caring family by her side at Hartford Hospital. Born in Hartford, CT on December 2, 1963, a daughter of the late Jose Rivera Marrero and the late Margarita Rivera Collazo, she had been a resident of Kissimmee, FL for many years prior to living in Hartford, CT and later to Manchester, CT over six years ago.

While in Florida, Waida worked several years as a collector for a couple of timeshare resorts. A talented individual, Waida enjoyed various arts and crafts, drawing, and refurbishing and restoring furniture for family and friends. She was an avid reader, an animal lover, and a loyal fan of the New England Patriots football team and New York Mets baseball team. She also was a wonderful cook, who loved cooking and baking for her family and entertaining them on holidays. Most of all, she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who loved life.

In addition to her beloved husband Anthony, Waida is survived by a son, Eddie N. Montanez and his significant other Kathy Cabrera of Saint Cloud, FL; a daughter, Maricell M. Montalvo and her husband Jose Montalvo of Kissimmee, FL; eight special grandchildren, Nasidette Barreto, Jose Montalvo, III, Zadoc Montalvo, Joseph Montalvo, Austin Montalvo, Janiyalis Olivia Montanez, Josiah Navid Montanez, and Elias Jace Montanez; five adored great-grandchildren, Sage Noah Spinato, Kaleb Montalvo, Gabriel Montalvo, Ezra Montalvo, and Kamila Montalvo.

She also leaves four brothers, Jose Uriel Rivera in Arizona, Federico Rivera and his significant other Nelidad Vega of Davenport, FL, Orlando Rivera and his wife Nitza Cruz in Texas, and Arnaldo Rivera of Saint Cloud, FL; five sisters, Delia Varela and her husband Jesus of Apopka, FL, Sonia Rodriguez and her husband Angel of San Diego, CA, Rebecca Buchon of Orlando, FL, Laura Rivera of Altamonte Springs, FL, and Alice Rivera of New Britain, CT; a brother-in-law, Oscar Cruz of Manchester, CT; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Along with her parents, Waida was predeceased by an infant daughter, Maricell M. Rivera; a brother, Hector Rivera of Davenport, FL; and a sister, Belinda Rivera Cruz of Manchester, CT.

Private funeral services and burial will be held at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, please consider a monetary donation to the family, via Zelle at 860-856-0817 or through Cash App at $MaricellMontalvo to assist with expenses. The D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford, CT has been entrusted with the care of the funeral arrangements. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopoeh.com