Julia "Iris" Baez

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Julia "Iris" Baez. Also known to many as "Mama".
Iris was a lifelong lover of music and dance, the matriarch of a large, loving family, who had a heart as warm as her kitchen-nourishing everyone with her meals and her smile.
Born in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, on February 7, 1947, to Nolasco & Ramona Moyett, Iris was the youngest of 7 siblings. She grew up in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico and came to the United States at the age of 13 where she became known to her teenage friends as "Blondie" for her naturally blonde hair. At the age of 15 she met and fell in love with Nelson Baez; they married 2 years later and had 4 beautiful children.
Iris and Nelson started their lives together in Jersey City, where they opened their hearts and home to many family and friends. They enjoyed many summers at the Jersey Shore, camping trips, and Puerto Rico family vacations. They were residents of Rahway, New Jersey where Iris became a widow at the tender age of 42 when Nelson passed in 1989.
Iris became a part of the New Beginnings Church community where she enjoyed her times in worship.
She lived between Rahway, New Jersey and Cayey, Puerto Rico, returning to Brick, New Jersey in April of 2022 to the loving care of her children during her journey with dementia. Iris was called home to be with the Lord on the morning of May 10th, 2025.
Iris is survived by an older sister, Natividad Moyett of Carolina, Puerto Rico. Her (4) children; Elizabeth Martinez, Gilbert Baez, Judith Baez and Vanessa Baez. (10) Grandchildren; Marisa Byers, Richard Martinez Jr., Sharice Crichlow, Anthony Seijo, Katelyn Laureano, Edward J. Vargas, Juliana Clawson, Jordan Sejio, Nelson Baez, and Justin Taylor. (12) Great-Grandchildren; Jason Oxner, Jr., Thalia Pitt, Emmi Clawson, Nathan Borke, Richard Martinez, III, Ava Rae Seijo, Myalee Seijo, Ayla Clawson, Leia Jolie Seijo, Nyle Baez, Chloe Noel Seijo, and Jerry Laureano and (1) Great-Great Grandchild, Cairo Oxner.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, May 18, 2025, from 1:00pm to 5:00pm at the Lehrer Gibilisco Funeral Home located at 275 West Milton Avenue in Rahway, NJ.
Funeral Services will begin at 10:00am on Monday, May 19, 2025, at the funeral home, followed by her burial alongside her late husband at Rosehill Cemetery, at 792 East Edgar Road, Linden, NJ.
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her, saying "Many women have done nobly, but you surpass them all."
~ Proverbs 31:28 & 29