Gladys Oquendo Figueroa

Gladys Oquendo Figueroa, age 86, was born on November 28, 1938, in Jayuya Puerto Rico (PR). Gladys passed away on October 12, 2025, in Panama City, Florida.

She will be remembered for being the best mom ever! She was a great grandmother, mother-in-law, sister, aunt, friend and teacher. She worked as a College Nurse Professor in the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico (Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico). She worked at the DAMAS hospital (among others) in Ponce, PR where she took her students for clinical learning. She was loved by all her college students and by the faculty. She held a bachelor's degree in Nursing and a master's degree in Education and Nursing.

She enjoyed cooking and doing crafts. She liked crocheting and bracelet making. All her grandchildren as babies had either blankets and/or outfits made with lots of love by her. Lately she dedicated most of her time making Rosaries out of beads. Almost every family member that was close to her will have bracelet and or Rosary made by her. She taught her children and the neighborhood kids while living in Ponce, Puerto Rico how to pray the Rosary at a young age and introduced her closest family members to the Roman Catholic Church Faith and believes. As a young girl, while living in PR, she was part of the movement of "Hijas de María" (Daughters of Mary movement).

Gladys is predeceased in death by her son, José L. Lassalle; parents, Juana Figueroa and Jorge Oquendo; Sisters, Carmen Oquendo, Nereida Oquendo and Georgina Oquendo; Brothers Vitito Oquendo, Samuel Oquendo and Efrain Oquendo; Great nephew Andy Janda.

Gladys's memories will be cherished by her daughter Melissa Lassalle and her husband Ivan Velazquez; Grandchildren Adrian Velazquez, Marisol Velazquez and Angelica Velazquez; Son Jonah Lassalle; Sister Zaida Oquendo; daughter in-law Frances Pagán; and many relatives and friends that are too numerous to name.

The family will receive friends at Kent Forest Lawn Funeral Home on Thursday, October 16, 2025, from 12:00 noon until 1:00 PM. A funeral procession will follow to St. Bernadette Catholic Church for 2:00 PM. services, led by Fr. Anthony Nguyen.