Maria Isabel Moreno

On Saturday, June 6th, 2026, Maria Isabel Moreno "Mama Lita" or "Isabelita" of Hawthorne, NJ, passed away at the age of 92 years old.

Maria was born and raised in San Salvador, El Salvador on December 15th 1933 to Theodoro Leiva and Celestina Marroquin. Maria was an entrepreneur, a business woman in her prime; from selling pupusas with her mother, to co-owning a hair salon with her sister, she was the epitome of ingenuity. Despite trials and tribulations that she endured she was resilient, radiant, and remained firm in her faith. Maria was a devout Christian and lived her life by faith. She loved her family above all else after her love of God. She shared the gospel of Jesus to everyone she met. She praised God until her last days; singing hymns, reciting favorite Bible verses (Psalm 23), and discipling. Maria was a long-time member of Iglesia Bautista Central de Paterson for over 10+ years.

Maria loved to travel, spend quality time with her family, and was always happy to go out to eat. Maria was graceful, humble, and loved everyone she met. She saw the goodness in others and preached the power of forgiveness. Maria loved cooking and despite her age, she would be found in the kitchen making pupusas, cooking dinner for her family, or cooking the dogs (Winston and Oreo) their meal. She loved deeply; to be loved by her was a gift. Maria was a beacon of love, known for her caring and kind spirit that touched everyone she encountered. Her smile was contagious. Those who spent time in her company experienced her kindness, warmth, love, and laughter. She loved to tell stories where wisdom and the key to building resilience may be found.

Maria was a cancer warrior. She overcame Stage III Cancer in 2011, and was blessed to live a full life in remission. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in April 2025, yet she did not allow her diagnosis to define her. She fought and was yet again blessed with time and she ensured she made the most of that time.

Maria will be lovingly remembered by her children, Ana Miriam Moreno of Hawthorne, and Nelson A. Ramirez and his wife, Marina Ramirez of Spring, Texas; grandchildren, Irene Valerio Ramirez and her husband Raymond Valerio II, Nelson Ramirez Jr, and Zabrina M. Pardo-Moreno and husband Ricardo De Jesus; and great-grandchildren, Adriana Valerio, Vanessa Valerio, and Raymond Valerio III. In addition, Mama Lita was known as the "mama de los pollitos" and will be remembered deeply by her many nieces and nephews; Carmen Elena Larin, Doris Alicia Larin, Violeta Marina Larin and husband William, Claudia Vanessa Larin and husband Jason, Alberto Alvarado, Darah Daniela Larin, Ana Cristina De Hernandez and her husband Daniel Hernandez of El Salvador, Manuel Rodriguez of Spain, Jocelyn Castro Rodriguez and her husband Jared Castro of California, as well as by many friends, and church members.

Maria was predeceased by her parents, Theodoro Leiva, Celestina Marroquin (d. 2011), her siblings, Julia Marina Marroquin Leiva de Varquero (d. 1983), Carmen Marroquin De Jesus (d. 2019), Luis Alonso Marroquin, Alfredo Marroquin, and Jose Jesus Marroquin Dubon, her beloved nieces, Nilda Rodriguez Varquero (d. 2020), and Doris Cristina Marroquin (d. 2022), and by her best friend, Juana Garcia (d.2024).

A Visitation / Prayer Service will be held at 4-8 PM, on Friday, June 12th, at Funeraria Alvarez, 66 Passaic Ave, Passaic, NJ.

We find solace that Maria has returned home to The Arms of Our Father, Jesus.

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations, in honor of Maria, may be made to Maria's home church, Iglesia Bautista Central de Paterson, so that The Word of God may continue to be spread to all (John 3:16).

Please note donations can only be made via Venmo.

https://venmo.com/code?user_id=2972969273917440778&created=1780931035