Christina Lorenza Aybar

Christina Lorenza Aybar, 63, was born as the youngest of 10 children in Santiago, Dominican Republic on December 05, 1961. When she was just 4 years old, she was emigrated to New York City where she continued to grow into herself surrounded by her large and loving family. It was in New York City that she later met her husband and together they had 3 kids. In 1993, she moved her family to McAllen, Texas in search of better opportunities and a quieter life. After 29 years, she moved to Tampa, FL in 2022 with her youngest daughter to spend her last few years closer to her comadre and other family members. She passed away peacefully at her home on September 06, 2025 surrounded by every family member who could make it in a room full of love and music and laughter. She is survived by her husband, Luis Gonzalez, and her 3 children, Tiffany Lozano, and Gilliano and Gissel Gonzalez.

Christina graduated with an Associate’s Degree from South Texas College in 2014, the first in her family to receive a higher education degree. She worked for McAllen Independent School District for 25 years as a Paraprofessional before retiring at the end of 2015. Her passions involved helping others, from kids to adults, as she was aiming to become a social worker before becoming disabled.

When she wasn’t spending time watching game shows or novelas at home, she loved to be with all of her family, usually playing bingo. Chris also had a passion for fashion and could spend hours shopping for new outfits. And while it may not have been her passion, she was very talented in various arts. In her earlier stages of life she practiced her sketching skills to the point that her son would always ask her to draw Ninja Turtles for him because the drawings were so realistic. Her other hobbies included reading, puzzles, card games, and crocheting. She would crochet items as small as beanies for children to items as big as sweaters and blankets. Her talent was so strong she made the craft look easy.

Chris was calm and patient and compassionate to every person she crossed paths with. It was often that she would be out with her kids at the store and past and present students with their parents would come up just to talk to her and let her know how much they loved and missed her. Anyone who knew her loved her.

While she had a quiet personality, she was an unyielding woman. Christina rarely allowed anyone to sway her when she had her mind set on something. From outfit choices to taste in food, her children clearly remember her saying, “I’m not impressed” or “it sucks” when a restaurant failed to excite her. However, when her son refused to eat his food when he was younger, she’d say, “come mierda.” No translation needed. But she truly did everything with love and she helped her kids through every goal and dream they had. From being a professional singer, to attending ivy league universities, to possibly becoming a physicist, to moving out of their small hometown, and even becoming a famous author. There wasn’t a moment in time that Christina’s children doubted her support.

She showed immense strength even throughout her very last day. And Chris made sure to raise her children to be tough cookies just as she was. Her eldest daughter remembers being bullied on the bus when she was younger and after coming home crying, Chris told her she should have told them thank you to throw them off. Though she was strong, she was also one to comfort her loved ones and remind them it was okay to cry but she made sure to tell them cry, breathe, and then do something that would make them feel good about themselves.

Christina’s family would like to recognize the entire Peralta-Aybar family, the Gonzalez family, and all of her friends who showed her never ending love and support throughout her life. Her loved ones inspired Chris to keep pushing through every hurdle she came across so she could have more time with them. They are endlessly grateful for every extra minute they got with her.

A celebration of life gathering for Christina will be held Sunday, September 21, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Gonzalez Funeral Home, 7209 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33614, followed by a memorial service beginning at 3:00PM. Chaplain Frank will be officiating and Tiffany Lozano will be the service moderator.