Luz Celenia Puente, affectionally known as “Lucy,”was called home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, April 15, 2024 at the age of 80, resting peacefully at her home in Hudson, Florida with her beloved husband Nelson Medina Puente by her side. She was born February 13, 1944 in Santurce, Puerto Rico, the daughter of Virginia Cruz and Raphael Garcia and sister of Raphael Garcia Jr.

Luz Celenia graduated from Eli Whitney Vocational High School in Brooklyn, New York where she studied nursing. Following graduation she enjoyed working at a local hospital. Luz Celenia married her high school sweetheart Nelson M. Puente on June 29, 1963, settled in Brooklyn N.Y. and lovingly raised 4 children. They celebrated 60 years of marriage in June, 2023.

Luz Celenia is survived by her husband, Nelson M. Puente. She is also survived by her three daughters, one son, and their spouses: Yolanda and King Chu, Lurdes and Dino Tortorelli, Nelson and Nellie Puente, and Luz-Estelle Puente. Luz Celenia has 7 grandchildren: Lauren 29, Emily 26, James 25, Justine 22, Nicholas 22, Richard 18, and Jillian 18. She also leaves behind 4 great-grandchildren: Annalie 5, Liam 3, Elsie 1, and Ariana 8 months.

Luz Celenia was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, and friend. She was completely dedicated to her children and grandchildren in all aspects of their lives. She continues to influence their lives as well as her great-grandchildren by her legacy of love. She was actively involved in the education of her children as they always had the best science projects in their class! She loved to spend time with her children, care for them, and thoughtfully create festive, magical memories for them throughout their childhoods. She was also a vibrant grandma and spent much time playing and caring for them. Luz loved arts & crafts and scrapbooking, encapsulating special events in all her grandchildren’s first year of life. In her youthful years, she enjoyed swimming, roller-skating, and bike-riding. She also loved serving her family by cooking all kinds of different cuisines and especially Puerto Rican food. She made a fantastic Sancocho. Also, she had a passion for photography with her favorite subjects being her family, who she captured in artful candid portraits. Her love for art also included painting and drawing with oil pastels. Luz had a green thumb when it came to gardening. She created an Eden in the middle of Brooklyn, complete with white roses, pink roses, black velvet roses, and prize-winning tomatoes.

We will always carry her loving, joyful memory in our hearts.💗💗💗