Lilly Bernal, a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away on Tuesday, (November 13th, 2018), following a 2 month battle after complications from surgery. A resident of Suffern, NY and former resident of Astoria, NY and Corona, NY, Lilly was born in Cali, Colombia on February 27th, 1935. She was the 3rd child of 8 brothers and sisters, born to the late Enrique Garcia and Carolina Echeverry. In 1956, she married the late Guillermo Lopez, and gave birth to two beautiful children whom she loved dearly, Dr. Liliana Lopez of Spring Valley, NY, and Martin Lopez of East Meadow, NY, before immigrating to New York City to start a new life. As an independent single mother with two young children in New York City, Lilly quickly began her difficult journey as a factory worker in order to provide for her children, teaching both of the them the values of hard work, independence, integrity, and most important family. A devout Catholic, Lilly was a loyal worshipper of God, keeping her rosary beads close to her chest and maintaining prayer as a major part of her everyday life. Years later, when her only daughter and best friend decided to pursue an advanced career as a health provider, Lilly committed herself to helping raise her three grandchildren, Kevin Lopez of Rockville Centre, NY, Leslie Lopez of Ramsey, NJ, and John Lopez of Los Angeles, CA. It is here where Lilly's life gave her the most purpose, supporting and encouraging the people she loved most. In 2010, Lilly helped her daughter open her very first private medical practice in Spring Valley, NY, En Su Casa Primary Health Care. Her favorite moments were traveling with her daughter and spending quality time with her son. Lilly is also survived by two amazing grandchildren from her only son, Jonathan Lopez of New York, NY, and Alexandra Lopez of East Meadow, NY, all of whom stayed by her side until her last days. Lilly was also very happy to have met her two great-grandchildren, Alessia Lucia Ragucci-Lopez and Braxton Lopez-Belle, as well as the wonderful new members to the growing family, Scott, Annmarie, and MacKenzie.
Family will receive friends on Thursday (today) from 2-4 & 7-9pm at Michael J. Higgins Funeral Home in New City, NY. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, 10am, at St. Anthony’s Church, Nanuet, NY, followed by interment at St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Nanuet, NY.
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