Maria De León

It is with deep love and sadness we announce the passing of Maria De Leon, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend who left this world peacefully on August 9, 2025, at the age of 76.

Born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, she was the daughter of the late Ramon Candelario and Luz Maria Melendez Cruz.  Three brothers, the late Ramon Luis, the late Julio Candelario and the late Jose David Candelario preceded her in death.  She was married to the late Jaime De Leon for 42 years.

Maria dedicated her life to the love and care of her family.  As a homemaker and mother of five children, Carmen (Ronald) Cain, Victor Morales, Ivette (Morris) Jefferson, Marisol Torres and Marcos (Diana) Torres, she created a home that was warm and inviting.  She always made sure her family was well fed, had clean clothes and all their necessities. She had a gift for making anyone she met, special whether you were her neighbor, her friend, part of her family or anyone fortunate enough to cross her path.

Maria enjoyed dancing to Spanish music, hosting countless house parties beginning in the finished basement, but gradually having them in the living area because they got bigger through the years, cooking, known for her farina, pastelillos, pasteles and flan during Christmas, gardening, sewing, crafting, going to the gym, going to the shore, playing dominos with her best friends and late husband Jaime every Saturday night taking 3 huge donuts from ShopRite and a bag of popcorn cheese curls so everyone could have something to munch on, visiting Disney World which she and Jaime visited at least 5 times, and her favorite…shopping!  There wasn’t a weekend that she didn’t ask her daughter Carmen to take her to Dollar Tree and/or Walmart or ask her son Marcos to take her to the flea market or another trip to Walmart. 

Those who remain to cherish her memory her mother Luz Maria Melendez Cruz, her 5 children, 6 brothers, 2 sisters, 18 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  Though our hearts are heavy, we take comfort in knowing that her love will remain with everyone she touched.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Maria De León, please visit our floral store.