Maria Olga Zegarra

1931 - 2023

Maria Olga Zegarra (Cortez), 91, of South Windsor, passed away on Friday, February 24, 2023, in Vernon. Born in Lima, Peru on December 10, 1931, daughter of the late Domingo and Adela (Yactayo) Zegarra, she was raised in Canete, Peru and immigrated to the United States with her family in 1968 and settled in East Hartford.

While growing up in Canete, Maria was the seventh of eight children and the youngest daughter. She was raised on her family's farm and later moved to Lima, Peru. After Maria's husband settled in Connecticut, Maria and her then four children moved to Connecticut and later the family expanded to five children. She lived in East Hartford for many years and later lived in Bloomfield and then South Windsor where she had lived for over 20 years.

Maria worked for EBL Manufacturing in East Hartford in the early 1970's and stayed with the company through their merger with the Stavely Technologies until her retirement at the age of 72. Maria was very dedicated and hard-working and was known for her precision and attention to detail.

During retirement, Maria enjoyed, knitting, crafts, bowling, dancing, going to events at the South Windsor Senior Center, and spending time with her family and friends. A very light-hearted and easy-going person, Maria was loved by everyone who met her. She loved to cook and prepare meals for family gatherings and holidays. Maria's selfless and giving nature endeared her to everyone she met. Most of all, Maria will be remembered for her dedication to her family, especially her children, grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren.

She leaves five children, Eva Young and her husband Jeffrey of Kensington, Olga Fruster and her husband Anthony of East Hartford, Hernan Cortez and his wife Marie of South Windsor, Jacqueline Jardin and her husband Salvadore of Ellington, and Brian Cortez and his wife Alissia of Frisco, TX; ten grandchildren, Jennifer Young of Plainville, Jonathan Cortez-Brown of Kensington, Jamal Fruster of Tucson, AZ, Korinne Fruster of Providence, RI, Stephanie Cortez of Providence, RI, Alexander Cortez-Rich of Hartford, Hernan Cortez, Jr. of South Windsor, Marco Cortez of South Windsor, and Mateo Cortez and Isela Cortez both of Frisco, TX; three great-grandchildren, Tyler Bigelow, Hailey Bigelow, and Emiliano Cortez; and many and nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a grandson, Gregory Brown, Jr.; three brothers, Victor, Benedicto, and Luis Zegarra-Yactayo; and three sisters, Meri Reyes, Mercedes Osorio, and Aida Ramos.

Her family will receive family and friends on Thursday, March 2, 5-8 p.m., at the Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home, 419 Buckland Rd., South Windsor. Family and friends may gather on Friday, March 3, 9 a.m., at the Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, 10 a.m., at St. Francis of Assisi Church, South Windsor. Burial will follow in Silver Lane Cemetery, East Hartford.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or by visiting, www.stjude.org. For online condolences and to view the Funeral Mass live or after, Friday, March 3rd at 10 a.m., please visit, www.carmonfuneralhome.com.