Iris Milagros Vazquez, 75, passed away on September 28, 2026, leaving behind a beautiful legacy of love, generosity, family, and joy.

Born in Puerto Rico to Rafaela Rosario, Iris lived her life with a loving and generous heart. She was fun-spirited and warm, with a remarkable ability to find something positive in almost every situation. More than anything, Iris loved making people happy. Whether through a home-cooked meal, a family gathering, a kind word, or simply opening her home to someone who stopped by, she had a special way of making people feel welcome, cared for, and loved.

For Iris, family was everything. One of the accomplishments she was most proud of was raising her children to be good, kind, and loving human beings. She loved them deeply and found tremendous joy in watching her family grow through the years.

Iris leaves to cherish her memory her children, Julia Felisa Alvarado; Ramiro Alvarado and his wife, Elideth Alvarado; and Jessica Cordero and her husband, Alex Cordero, who were at the heart of her life. She also shared a special bond with her stepson, AJ Espinoza, and his wife, Maria Espinoza, and was blessed to have her stepchildren, Rebecca Espinoza and Jorge Espinoza, as part of her extended family.

Being a grandmother was one of Iris’s greatest joys. She was a loving grandmother to Alexandra Alvarado and her fiancée, Michelle Spencer; Benjamin Cordero and his wife, Cecily Cordero; Celeste Cordero; Giselle Alvarado; and Gia Alvarado. Her heart and family grew even larger through her bonus grandchildren, Diego Espinoza and Samantha Espinoza, whom she lovingly embraced as her own.

Iris is also survived by her siblings, Ben Ramirez, Donna Torres, and David Ramirez, as well as a large extended family whose lives were touched by her love and presence. Family extended far beyond blood for Iris. She treasured the special friendships she shared with Esther, Alsena, and Debbie, and held especially dear the close bond she shared with her special cousins, Frances and John Anthony. Each of these relationships held its own special place in Iris’s heart and was part of the circle of family, friendship, laughter, and love that surrounded her throughout her life.

Iris was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Julia Maritza Jurgelowicz (Mari), and her son-in-law, Raymond Jurgelowicz (Ray). Mari was not only Iris’s daughter, but also her best friend, and losing her left an emptiness in Iris’s heart that never truly went away. She carried Mari’s memory with her every day and missed her more deeply than words could express. While Iris’s passing brings tremendous sadness to those who remain, her family finds comfort in knowing that she is now reunited with Mari and Ray, and that mother and daughter—best friends in life—are together once again.

Some of Iris’s happiest moments were the simplest ones—being surrounded by the people she loved. She adored her grandchildren and her pets, enjoyed tending to her garden, and found joy in writing poetry. Her kitchen was another expression of her love. Iris loved to cook, and she was happiest when there were people gathered around her table to feed. Thanksgiving and New Year’s were especially meaningful traditions for her, giving her the opportunity to bring everyone together, prepare a wonderful meal, and fill her home with family, laughter, conversation, and love.

That was simply who Iris was. She loved wholeheartedly, gave generously, welcomed people freely, and always tried to see the good in life and in those around her. Joy seemed to follow Iris wherever she went, and she had a beautiful way of sharing that joy with others. Those who knew and loved Iris will remember her joyful spirit, her kindness and generosity, the meals she prepared with love, her devotion to her family, and perhaps most of all, the way she could make people feel happy simply by being in her presence.

Iris’s life will continue to be celebrated through the stories told, the traditions carried forward, the meals shared around family tables, and the love she instilled in those closest to her. Her greatest legacy is found in the family she loved so deeply and in the many lives made a little brighter because Iris Milagros Vazquez was part of them.