Iraida Pagan “Iye”, age 54, of Hyde Park, MA, passed away on September 8th.
Iraida was born in Orocovis, Puerto Rico, to Antonia Cruz Ortiz and Ramon Pagan Villanueva (deceased) on July 10th, 1963. She moved to the United States at the age of 18 where she started her family and then continued on to pursue her education in child care by receiving an Associates degree from Roxbury Community College, an Associates Degree from Bunker Hill Commnunity College,her Bachelors degree from Spring Community College in Child Care Development and wished to continue on to receive her Masters and Doctorate in her chosen field of Child Care Development .
Iraida is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Iredys Cardona and Jovanny Lopez of Hyde Park, MA, and granddaughters Annaliz Chambers and Jenaliz Lopez; her son and daughter-in-law, Osvaldito and Jennie Cardona of Middletown, RI, and grandchildren, Gianna and Isabella Cardona, Troy Anthony Medeiros, and Miguel Macias; her siblings Zulma Pagan Cruz, Hector Pagan Cruz and Neida Pagan Cruz of Orocovis, PR; Maritza Pagan Cruz of Bayamon, PR; Eric Xavier Pagan Cruz of Orlando, FL; Ramon Pagan Cruz, Jr. of California; Gladys Pagan Cruz of Manati, PR; Ramon Pagan Santiago of NJ; Mirna Pagan Santiago of Vega Baja, PR as well as her loving boyfriend, Luis DeJesus, the father of her children, Osvaldo Cardona, countless beloved nieces, nephews, and close family friends. Iraida is preceded in death by a granddaughter, Janaliz Lopez.
Iraida worked as a Program Director for Nurtury for 15 years. She also worked as a counselor for Project Hope and as a Counselor at Casa Myrna Vazquez, Inc. Iraida was also an ordained minister and enjoyed performing wedding ceremonies as well as being a CPR trainer.
Iye was well loved by all, and welcomed everyone she met into her family with open arms and a warm heart. If her life could be summed up in one word, that word would be family. She cherished her family above all else. Today we are not mourning her death but celebrating her life and the impact she had on each and every one of us. We are all better for having known her.
Visiting hours will be held at the Brady & Fallon Funeral Home 10 Tower St. (Opp. Forest Hills MBTA Station) Jamaica Plain on Wednesday, September 14 from 6-9 PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church, 169 Cummins Highway in Roslindale on Thursday, September 15 at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
Her funeral service will be held in Orocovis, Puerto Rico on September 18th in a private ceremony for her immediate family.