Obituary of Celia Matos

Heaven received another angel on July 12, 2018 as our mother Celia Matos left this life to begin a new one when the Lord called her to join Him. Celia Matos was born on November 22, 1924 in Comerio, Puerto Rico to the late Braulia Santiago and Joaquin Matos. 

She grew up in Comerio and there she met and married the now deceased Carmelo Santos, the love of her life. They had five children, after numerous years, Celia and Carmelo moved to New Jersey on July 4, 1954. They eventually moved the family to Elm, NJ. 

Celia worked in Kessler Manufacturing Co. in Hammonton for a number of years. Later, together with her husband they opened a small Bodega and Restaurant in Hammonton. With her culinary skills, Celia was the primary chef, she loved cooking and raising her children.

Like so many other Puerto Rican women who came to this country in the 1950s, Celia was a pioneer. She and other strong, determined Puerto Rican ladies began opening doors and creating opportunities for the upcoming generations. During those early years, Celia was part of a growing community who created the Puerto Rican Club in Hammonton. One of the purposes of the club was to help maintain the culture and language of Puerto Rico for future generations.

Years later Celia and her husband branched out and opened Sam’s Casino in Landisville NJ. Here she worked diligently behind the scenes, and was instrumental in the success of the business.

Celia was a member and Cursillista of the Spanish Catholic Center in Vineland prior to merging with St. Francis of Assisi. 

She is predeceased by her son, Anibal Santos; granddaughter, Nadine Rodriguez; her parents and siblings Joaquina, Mariano, Julio, Maria, Gladys, Adela, Jimmy, Fracio, and Bilda.

Celia is survived by her children, Carmelo Santos Jr., Maria Perez, Nereida Rodriguez (Antonio Ortega) and Maria Angeles Laboy (Luis Ramos); grandchildren, Janine, Jennifer (Angelo), Jaye (Tito) and John Perez (Mayra), Vivian Santos (Christin), Nicolas Rodriguez, Shirley (Isaac), Samuel (Denise) and Antonia Santos (Nestor) and Raymon Laboy; 13 great grandchildren, 4 great great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws; and her siblings, Teresa, Sara, Jimmy, Jackie, Ruben, Josefina, Estaquio, Lucy, Gloria, Jobino, Maria and Carmen Matos.

Family and friends will be received on Monday, July 16, 2018 from 7pm to 9pm at the DeMarco-Luisi Funeral Home, 2755 S. Lincoln Avenue, Vineland and again on Tuesday morning at Divine Mercy Parish, St. Francis of Assisi Church  23 W. Chestnut Ave. Vineland, from 9am to 10:45am followed by a funeral liturgy at 11am. Celia will be laid to rest at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Vineland.