Zoraida Maldonado

Zoraida Maldonado, age 82 of Bridgeport, returned to the loving arms of the Lord on Monday, March 9, 2020 at St. Vincent's Medical Center. She was bron in Ponce, Puerto Rico; daughter of the late Luis Malave and Guadalupe Oliveira. She was employed as a teacher while she was still living in Puerto Rico and when she relocated started working for General Electric. Zoraida loved gardening, and was able to cultivate the most amazing roses. She was hailed as the "The Ultimate Puerto Rican Culinary Artist" and made the best fried chicken and Pumpkin Latkes. She found true joy in brightening everyone's day with the food that she made. Zoraida was an incredibly hard worker and intelligent. Her humor was magnetic, especially her sarcasm. Most of all, Zoraida was dedicated to her family and helped everyone - from raising her brothers, helping all sister-in-laws and caring for aging aunts. She was the natural leader and matriarch of her family; she was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and will truly be missed. She is the loving mother of Maritza Huertas and Sandra Maldonado; the grandmother of Frankie Otero, Michael Barrios, and Meghan Huertas; the great-grandmother of Peyton Huertas and Milani Huertas; and the sister of William Malave. She is also survived by many other family members and friends that will sorely miss her. She was predeceased by her brothers, Norberto, Fernando, Bermore, and Antonio Malave. Family and friends are invited to attend Calling Hours on Saturday, March 14, 2020 from 8:30 - 10 a.m. at the Funeraria Luz de Paz (Peaceful Light Funeral Home) 426 E. Washington Ave. Bridgeport, CT 06608. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 at St. Andrew Cemetery, 395 Anton St., Bridgeport CT 06606. Her interment will follow at St. Michael's Cemetery, Stratford. Please explore her Memorial Page, where you may share your memories, prayers and so much more found EXCLUSIVELY at .