Ana Baez

Ana Baez of the Bronx, New York passed away on April 9, 2022. She was 89 years old. Born in Ceiba, Puerto Rico to Gumercindo Baez Reyes and Ramona Sanchez Molina and lived in Cidra, Puerto Pico. rs. Ana was the youngest and only girl of her parents’ five children. Often, she would share parts of her life living on a farm in Borinquen with her father and four brothers.  She knew how to harvest and clean rice, use medicinal herbs, cook root vegetables (vianda) and tenderize any kind of chicken or other meat in a quick minute. Café con Leche was a daily must. Deemed a member of the “the Great Migration,” she came to the mainland United States from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in the mid-1950’s.  She lived in Chicago at first, then settled in El Barrio, New York. She loved plants and knew how to use them as holistic remedies which amazed us all as children. She taught us about and insisted we honor her birthplace, Puerto Rico, which became a second home for us.  We visited regularly given most of our maternal and paternal families remained on the Island. While many have passed, Puerto is still home to us and is in our hearts because of her. Her humility was her strength.

Ana was a devout Catholic and would attend mass every Sunday when she could. Ana was the matriarch of the family: a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother; a stellar aunt; a phenomenal and loyal friend. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and had a special relationship with each one of them. Ana loved cooking, and everyone loved eating her food.  She could whip up a traditional Puerto Rican meal complete with arroz y habichuelas (rice and beans) in what seemed to be the smallest “calderos” (pots} that would feed multitudes.  Her life was dedicated to her family, her work ethic was matched by none and she raised her children to aspire to the best at whatever they chose to do.

Ana will be remembered as wonderful mother, grandmother (Tata, Miss Ana, Doña Ana), great grandmother (Abuela), and friend. She was caring, strong-willed, smart, independent, loving and one of a kind. She was generous in spirit and would do anything for family and friends. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Ana is survived by her children: David Muñiz, Pedro Pinott and Mildred Pinott as well as her “adopted” children, including Peter Pinott and James Monaghan. Her beloved grandchildren; Charlie Muñiz, Jordan Amalia, and Elias Salmerón. She is also survived by her great grandchildren: Carlos David and LizMarie Muñiz. She will be missed by her nieces and nephews, Juancito, in particular. She is predeceased by her brothers: Flor, Juan and Virgilio. Esperanzo may still be with us.

A celebration of Ana’s life will take place at the Pelham Funeral Home located at 64 Lincoln Avenue, Pelham, New York on Wednesday, April 13th from 4-8pm. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at St. Catharine’s Church located at 25 Second Avenue, Pelham, New York on Thursday, April 14th at 10:00am. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. For more information or to leave a condolence please visit www.pelhamfuneral.com