Obituary of María Josefa Peña

Mara Josefa Pea, Everybody's Aunt 3-21-1917 to 5-7-2014 Mara Josefa Pea, "Ta Fefa" to those who knew her best, passed away Wednesday, May 7th 2014 after a lifetime of good deeds, hard work and love for others. She died peacefully at The Atrium at Wayne Nursing Home in Wayne, NJ, where she had been living since 2006. Born in Cumanayagua, Cuba, Ta Fefa was the second of 5 siblings in a family where strong personalities found a way to pull together to face adversity, overcome obstacles, find freedom and enjoy life to its fullest, both in Cuba and in the United States. Since very early in her life, Mara became the anchor to which we all held on to through life's many twists and turns. A very generous and loving person, Fefa is best remembered by her work as a seamstress both in Cuba and New Jersey, and especially by her amazing embroidery, needle work and Christmas stockings, which she happily made for family and friends. She treated everyone like family, and as she did with her parents and siblings, Fefa could be counted on to look after a sick friend, help a stranger in need, or drive her 1975 Ford Maverick anywhere to run an errand or give anyone a ride to work or to a doctor's appointment. Guided by strong family values, an unbelievable work ethic and unshakeable convictions, Mara lived the first half of her life in Camagey, Cuba and the second half in America. Once she settled in Paterson NJ, Fefa worked tirelessly to be a contributor to society, take care of her nephews and nieces in their new nation and ensure that her family appreciated and enjoyed the freedom and opportunities of this great nation. She worked tirelessly until 1980, when she retired and started a 20-plus year journey as a volunteer at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Paterson. In 2006, Maria entered the Atrium at Wayne, where she thrived and enjoyed life until her peaceful passing. Mara is predeceased by her parents Alejandro and Alejandrina, her sister Epifania and her brothers Alejandro and Jorge. She is survived by her sister Marta Martinez of Paterson, her loving nieces and nephews Rolando, Henry, Jose, Cristina, Lilia, Jorge and Alex, eight grand-nieces and nephews and three great-grand nephews. Ta Fefa's visiting hours will be on Monday, May 12th from 6:00 to 9:00 pm with a service at 8:00 pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in her name to the Saint Joseph's Regional Center Foundation, PO Box 29000, Newark, NJ 07101-9888, www.stjosephshealth.org/giving-to-st-josephs