Cecilia Lopez

Cecilia Lopez, also known as “Lela,” was born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico on October 17, 1932. Her father, Lazaro Banks and mother, Isabel Maldonado, were both natives of Puerto Rico. Cecilia was reportedly an energetic and vivacious young girl who grew up to love dancing, cooking, and traveling as a young woman. In 1952, Cecilia left Puerto Rico to pursue undergraduate studies at Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tennessee, where she met Felix Lopez, a fellow student who had immigrated from Gibara, Cuba, and would become Cecilia’s husband. Cecilia and Felix were married on May 16, 1954, and from that day forward embarked upon a life-long journey of building and loving their family which came to include four children, nine grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren (with a ninth on the way).

As a woman, Cecilia was funny, fun, courageous, and strong-willed. She was an adventure-enthusiast, enjoying a wide range of thrills from roller coasters at Disney World, to casinos in Vegas, and many experiences in between. As a wife and mother, Cecilia was a quintessential matriarch – an architect of unrelenting love and service to those who came through her home. Throughout most of her adult life, Cecilia was an active home-maker and childcare provider, taking care of not only her own children’s children, but the children of extended family and close family friends. Therein lies the years during which Cecilia was coined with the nickname “Lela,” (a baby’s-pronounced rendition of abuela) and from that time forward she was a living institution of unconditional love and care for all of those who knew her.

Cecilia is preceded in death by her parents, Lazaro and Isabel, and her only brother Humberto.

Cecilia is survived by her husband, Felix; her children and their significant others - Felix “Donny” and Alina, Maritza and Ralph, Ramon and Janet, and Ana “Anita”; her grandchildren and their significant others - Guido “Daniel” and Dianna, Monica and Alejandro, Vincent and Melani, Alex and Cori, Alexis, Michelle and Matt, Bianca, Haley and Wesley, and Jacob; her great-grandchildren - Camila, Alex, Everett, Marcela, Christian, Guido Julian “GJ,” Isabelle, and Max.

The family would like to thank the countless individuals who demonstrated care and compassion for Cecilia in her final days, and especially for: Yordanis Camejo and Lecsy Gilart Parra of Caring Professionals Home Health; Sharan Sihota and the entire team at Homewatch Caregivers; Judith Fusi, Maria Elena Hernandez, Olaymis Gonzalez, and Cesilia Hernandez. The family would also like to thank the numerous medical providers of Houston Methodist, who provided high-quality healthcare for over 20 years.

Family and friends are invited to attend funeral services honoring Cecilia’s life on Monday, September 23rd at Forest Park Funeral Home, 12800 Westheimer Rd., Houston, TX 77077. Visitation with the family will begin at 9 am and a formal program will begin at 10 am, with a burial ceremony immediately afterwards.

Following the funeral, attendees are welcome to join the family for a casual reception and light lunch at Postino’s Town and Country, 791 Town and Country Blvd., Houston, TX 77024.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Memory of Cecilia to one of the following:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) OR The National Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org)