Cruz worked as a seamstress for a children's shirt manufacturing company in the Bronx, NY. She was a member of various church organizations such as the Legion of Mary and the Cursillo and had a passion for Bible study, crossword puzzles, reading and working passionately with disabled children at United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) and with children at the Foster Grandparent Program until almost 90 years of age.
She was survived by her two children, Blanca Collazo and Samuel Figueroa; 15 grandchildren, and many great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Faustino Figueroa and two sons, Carlos Figueroa and Wilfredo Figueroa.