Elba Rosa Mendez

Elba Rosa Mendez, 93, devoted mother, grandmother, great-, and great-great grandmother, passed away surrounded by family on June 14, 2023 at the Ludlowe Center for Health & Rehabilitation in Fairfield, CT.  Born in Camuy, Puerto Rico to the late Lucas Mendez and Digna Toledo, in 1959 she arrived in Bridgeport seeking better opportunities for her four children.  To create those opportunities, she worked at Saint Joseph’s Manor, Cornwall & Patterson, and Remington Products, where she retired from in 1991.  She also found time to volunteer at a Bridgeport Head Start in the late 1970s where the staff appreciated her ability to get the children to listen and behave, while the children enjoyed the extra drumsticks she handed out at lunch.  

She worshipped for many years at St. Luke's-St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and was an active member of the Hall Neighborhood House Senior Center, where she enjoyed playing bingo and winning prizes.  Elba also liked cooking for family events.  Her arroz con gandules, pasteles, and pernil were loved by all.  More important than her great cooking was her big heart.  She was warm and friendly with all that even family friends referred to her as Mama, like her entire family did.

Mama was predeceased by two children, Manuel (Camuy) Martinez and Jose (Chiqui) Martinez.  She leaves behind to cherish her memory her daughter, Carmen G. Martinez, and son, Rene I. Martinez, with his wife, Fernanda as well as nine precious grandchildren (Tracy, David, Denise, Ricky, Laurie, Kim, Liany, Shaun, and Julissa), 19 great grandchildren, and seven great-great grandchildren that will dearly miss the matriarch of their family. 

Calling hours will be held on Monday, June 19, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Funeraria Luz de Paz, 426 East Washington Avenue, Bridgeport, CT.  Religious services will be held on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at 1:00 PM at St. Luke's-St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 594 Kossuth Street, Bridgeport, CT.  Interment will follow immediately after at Mountain Grove Cemetery, 2675 North Avenue, Bridgeport, CT.

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