Cruz Maria Arango

Cruz Maria Arango, lovingly known as "Meri," was born on May 3, 1939, to Pablo Plaza and Rita Colon-Plaza in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She passed away peacefully on January 14, 2025, at the age of 85 in Waxahachie Texas. 

Meri moved from Puerto Rico to New York City, when she was 16 years old to find work to move her mother and siblings to provide a better life for them. As the eldest daughter, she was considered the matriarch of the family. 

Meri was the second of five siblings: Ramon Plaza, Hector Plaza, Antonia Plaza, Roberto Lopez, and Orlando Hernandez. She shared a deep bond with her family throughout her life. 

She was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Edith Iris Ramos, who passed on October 26, 2017. Meri is survived by her devoted husband, Leon Arango; her cherished granddaughter Selina Sosa and grandson-in-law Fernando Sosa; her adored great-grandsons Justin Sosa, Elijah Sosa, and Jeremiah Sosa; and her treasured great-great-grandchildren Josiah Sosa and Mylah Sosa. 

Meri’s legacy lives on through the generations of her family who carry forward the love and warmth she brought into their lives. Her memory will forever be a source of comfort and inspiration to those who knew her.

 We are forever left with an indelible mark of her time with us.