Obituary of Zoraida Hernandez

The beautiful Zoraida Hernandez "Zory", passed on Wednesday, October 29th, 2014 at the age of 66, although we all know she was really 21. She departed in her favorite city of New York after a graceful courageous battle with cancer. The last words she heard were telling her how much we love her and the last touch she felt were our arms embracing her. Zoraida was born in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico on November 2, 1948. She was one of two children to the late Ana Matilda Herrera and Carmelo Hernandez. Her brother William Hernandez who was the love of her life and brought her countless years of laughter survives her. Zory's childhood was shared with numerous cousins playing in the countryside and running through the sugarcane fields. As she explained, their entertainment was strategizing how they were going to shoot a tiny bird, cook it and divide it between 20 kids. A single penny and a few pieces of candy for Christmas and she appreciated it greatly. Her mother Ana worked very hard in the United States and soon sent her a plane ticket to New York City, forever making her a native New Yorker. Zoraida was always street smart and soon followed in her mothers' footsteps. She sent for her cousins back in PR one at a time, sheltering them in her home and teaching them the ropes of New York. Soon she married Jose Baez in 1967 and together they raised her son Luis Perez and their daughters Lydia Rosemary Baez "Gidget" and Zoraida Baez "Jeannie". Forever, determined to conquer the world and enjoy everything in it, she started her journey as a devoted single mother in 1970 in the City of Yonkers and remained there ever since. With a High School education, a belief nothing is impossible, a heart filled with endless love, forgiveness and compassion for everyone, she not only raised and taught her children how to be generous and humble and how to feel unconditionally loved and appreciated, but every person she met as well. Her home was always filled with people and she made every person feel special, acknowledged and most importantly loved. Zory was a vibrant spirit that screamed out "lets have fun!" Her famous words "Shake what your mother gave you" and "So you know better". She was always smiling, always dancing and always having a party or a barbeque. Her friends loved her, the men loved her even more and her family will love her forever. Zoraida retired from the Michael Malotz Skilled Nursing Pavilion in 2008. She loved working in dietary and her work family. Throughout the years, Zoraida married three more times, her last husband Julio visited her everyday in the hospital and made sure she always had her chicken wings. Zoraida's greatest joy was her family and many, many, many friends. She was a devoted mother, a very entertaining grandmother, dedicated great grandmother, a sister, a Titi, a cousin, a wife, a daughter-in-law, a mother-in-law, sister-in-law, a confidant, a friend, an amazing unforgettable woman and everything, everything, everything to us. So many were touched during her short life. Her legacy, that forgiveness is always possible, to love everyone unconditionally, always help if you can, to always say "I Love You" when leaving leaving and to always make sure you have lipstick on. Zoraida asked to give a special message to her family and friends after learning of her terminal cancer, "Please forgive me for not telling you sooner of my illness, but I only wanted to save you from the pain. Your smiles are what kept me going and helped breath more life into my body that was failing me. I lived a great life and I have no regrets. Please try not to cry for me. Remember how beautiful I was, my spirit for life and have a great time at my funeral. My daughter promised me I would be in a hot red sexy dress and my favorite music would be playing. I love you all so much I feel my heart is going to burst. I'm going to miss you so much, but I'm finally going to be joining my mother "Ana", my daughter "Gidget", my baby boy "Carlos and all my dear family and friends that are waiting for me. I'm not scared, I'll be getting heaven ready for you all. Don't want to see you anytime soon. And don't forget, I'll be visiting you every once in a while" During Zoraida's last 10 days in the hospital, a little girl kept visiting her. Only she could see her. Her son and daughter believe the little girl was their sister "Gidget". So, Zoraida was never alone, while we were letting her go in the physical, "Gidget" was welcoming her in the spiritual. A family member even said Zory visited them in a dream at 6:40 am and said she was on her way home. Thank you to all her family and friends who always showed their love and accepted her for who she was during her life. Thank you for your endless comforting words of support, prayers, hospital visits, cooked meals, flowers, gifts, body massages, jokes and hugs and kisses. We feel with 100% certainty these wonderful memories helped her passage into her next life easier. And finally a very special thank you to the amazing staff at Mt. Sinai Medical Center, who cared for Zoraida and treated her like a queen, even permitted her baby "Little Bear" to sleep on her bed during her final days. Zoraida Hernandez is survived by: Her children, Luis Perez & Zoraida Baez "Jeannie" Her Grandchildren, Jeannie Santiago, Crystal Perez, Javier Santiago "Joey", Melinda Perez, Alexandra Perez, Brian Martinez, Ryan Cartagena, Daxton Perez and Avelyn Perez Her Great Grandson, Lucas Perez Her Brother, William Hernandez Her Nieces & Nephews, Vanessa Calarusso, Gianna Calarusso, Dom Jr Calarusso William Hernandez Jr. "Billy", Julian Hernandez Jessica Hernandez, Matthew Hernandez Joshua Hernandez, Joel Hernandez, Rachael Hernandez Her In-Laws Ralph Cartagena, Heather Perez, Minerva Perez & Tatiana Hernandez