OBITUARY

Elena de Jesus

January 23, 1937 – October 12, 2026

IN THE CARE OF

Walter B. Cooke Funeral Home

In Loving Memory of Elena De Jesus

January 23, 1937 – October 12, 2026

Elena De Jesus, 89, of New York City, New York, passed away on October 12, 2026, leaving behind a beautiful legacy of love, strength, kindness, and family.

Born on January 23, 1937, in Peñuelas, Puerto Rico, to Ramon De Jesus and Justina Rosario, Elena grew up in Ponce, Puerto Rico, before making her way to New York City, where she would spend much of her life.

Elena's journey to New York City was far from easy. She arrived from Puerto Rico with her two young children, speaking no English and having no home to call their own. In those early days, a bench in Central Park was their first address. Despite the challenges she faced, Elena was determined to make a better life for her family. She found work sewing garments from home, taking on piecework to make ends meet. Life wasn't always easy, but she never gave up. Through hard work and perseverance, she found her way and built a life for herself and her children.

Elena was a woman full of life, energy, and personality. She loved salsa dancing, embracing the music and rhythms of her Puerto Rican roots. She also had a remarkable talent for creating beautiful things with her hands. Whether working with ceramics, crocheting, knitting, or sewing, she found joy in her creativity and always looked forward to a trip to pick up craft supplies.

For more than 50 years, Elena called her third-floor New York City apartment home. Between climbing those stairs and walking the busy streets of the city, she maintained an active and independent spirit. She was known for her timeless beauty, flawless skin, perfectly defined eyebrows, and striking features. Elena loved bright colors, especially red and pink. She never wore black and always loved dressing in colorful outfits with a bright shade of lipstick to match. It was just another reflection of her fun, vibrant personality.

Yet as beautiful as Elena was on the outside, it was her heart that left the greatest impression. She was a kind and accepting soul who never judged others and always looked out for those around her. She built meaningful connections with her neighbors, both in her building and throughout her community, offering kindness and care over the years. In a beautiful reflection of the life she lived, the very people she had looked out for came together to look after her in her later years.

Elena had a deep love for God, and her faith was an important part of her life. She carried that faith with her throughout the years, along with the kindness and compassion she showed to those around her.

Above all, Elena was a proud mother, and her family meant so much to her. She took pride in the generations that followed and the memories they created together.

Elena was preceded in death by Mario Rentas Sr. and Francisco Lopez Sr. (Paco).

Elena is survived by her six children: Rosa Elena Valle (Eric), Mario Rentas Jr., Madeline Taylor (Ricky), Francisco Lopez, Wilson Lopez (Noelda), and Safah Henriquez (Tim).

She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren: Eric Valle Jr., Michael Valle (Anika), Crystal Valle Fitzgerald (Mike), Luca De Santis-Rentas and Sacha De Santis-Rentas (mother, Nicole), Melissa Lugo, Cynthia Rosario, Ossie Rosario (Flor), Crystal Taylor (Gerrard), Loritha Laddkincaid, Shannon Lopez, Sebastian Lopez, Abigail Lopez, Yousef Henriquez, and Samir Henriquez.

Her legacy continues through her great-grandchildren: Arianna Valle, Jasmine Valle, and Eric Valle (mother, Heather), Giselle Valle, Serenity Valle, Nathaniel Valle, Liam Fitzgerald, Logan Fitzgerald, Zykiria Rosario, Zyniya Rosario, Isabel Rosario, Ossie Rosario Jr., Annabelle Rosario, Francisco Rosario, Cassidy Dickens, Marlo Taylor Jr., Tyson Fleuridor, Loria Laddkincaid, Rosie Laddkincaid, and Gerrard Taylor III; and her great-great-grandchildren, Kaesyn Banks and Kamryn Banks.

Elena is also survived by her sister, Maria De Jesus; her brother, Jose Luis De Jesus Rosario; and her cherished nieces and nephews, including Sheila Echevarria, Noelia Garcia, Luis Angel Garcia, Michael Garcia, and Marixsa Garcia, along with many other beloved relatives, friends, and neighbors.

From a bench in Central Park to a life surrounded by generations of family and a community that loved her, Elena's journey was remarkable. She will be remembered for her joyful spirit, her beautiful smile, her love for others, and the many lives she touched along the way.

Her love, her laughter, and her legacy will live on for generations to come.

Funeral Date:

Thursday, October 22, 2026

Funeral Location:

Affinity Funeral Service

2720 Enterprise Parkway

Richmond, VA 23294

Visitation and Funeral Service:

Visitation: 10:00–11:00 AM

Funeral Service: 11:00 AM–12:00 PM

Cemetery Location:

Roselawn Memory Gardens Cemetery