Maria Maldonado

On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, beloved mother, Maria Magdalena Maldonado, age 89, of Monroe Township, New Jersey, passed away peacefully at Village Pointe Nursing and Rehabilitation Center following a long battle with dementia. Maria was surrounded by her devoted and loving family. Maria was born on Tuesday, July 21, 1936, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Agripina Fernandez and Pedro Padilla. At the age of 16, she moved to New York City, where she would meet the love of her life, Carlos Antonio Maldonado. They married and began raising their family in Manhattan, later moving to Staten Island, where they lovingly raised their five children. In time, Maria and Carlos relocated to Monroe Township to be closer to their cherished grandchildren. Maria was a devout Catholic with strong family values and an unwavering love for her family. She enjoyed crocheting, playing bingo, singing beautiful Spanish ballads, dancing, and had a fond love for dogs - along with being a bit of a Yankees fan. Every weekend, Maria joyfully cooked for her family, hosting pool parties, countless birthdays, and holiday gatherings, while lovingly passing down traditional Puerto Rican recipes. Without a doubt, her greatest joy was caring for her family, including helping raise her grandchildren. Though traditional and reserved by nature, Maria deeply believed in the importance of education and independence. She learned to drive and began working in a factory, determined to be her own person. She faced life's challenges with strength and resilience, always offering guidance, reassurance, and quiet wisdom. Maria was a true role model to her four daughters, whose teachings and values will continue through generations to come. Maria was predeceased by her beloved husband, Carlos, with whom she shared 69 years of marriage. Even during her own illness, she remained devoted to caring for him during his declining health. Their unwavering bond, lifelong devotion, and enduring love bring great comfort to the family, knowing they are reunited once again. While dementia took much from her, it never took her love, her smile, her caring spirit, her fortitude, or her faith. Maria is survived by her loving children, Maggie Martino and her husband Joseph, Carlos and his wife Natalie, Susan Hoffman, Lisa Kaufer, and Lillian Vega, by her cherished grandchildren, Eric Armstrong, Joseph Martino, Christopher and Carlos Maldonado, William Maldonado, Adam and Jeremy Kaufer, Emilio, Brenden, and Christian Vega, and her 8 adored great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Maria's honor to the Alzheimer's Association of New Jersey at https://www.alz.org/nj The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Michael Hegarty & John Vincent Scalia Home For Funerals and Cremation Service, 3377 US Highway 9, Old Bridge, New Jersey. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday at St. Gabriel's Historic Church located at 549 Rt 520 Marlboro, New Jersey 07746. Interment will be in St. Gabriel Cemetery, Marlboro, NJ. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.HegartyScaliaFuneralHome.com

Maria Maldonado

July 21, 1936 - January 27, 2026