ADELAIDA SERRANO

1932 - 2016
Adelaida Serrano 83, at God's appointed time, passed away and entered eternal life with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Born April 21, 1932 in Brooklyn, NY, Adelaida was the first and only child of the marriage between Francisco Serrano Isern (d. 1977), a longshoreman, and Aida Gonzalez (d. 1969), both born in Puerto Rico. On October 13, 1932, Adelaida was baptized at the Church of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Brooklyn, NY.

Adelaida met Justino Castro (d. 2004) in New York, NY and they were married in 1955. In 1959, they settled in Rockaway Beach, New York, and raised eight children. Adelaida remained in the Rockaways until June 2015, when she became a proud resident of Montclair, NJ.

Adelaida consistently served the Lord as a member of the Catholic Church. Years later, she came to know the Lord in a new way, through the ministry of Leoncia Rosado, affectionately known as "Mama Leo". At that juncture, Adelaida became a member of the Damascus Christian Church, Rockaway Beach, NY and a zealous disciple of Christ. In 1970, Adelaida and her children became members of the Full Gospel Tabernacle, Edgemere, NY (also in the Rockaways). She dedicated her life and time to raising her eight children in the house of the Lord, encouraging them to follow the ways of God. Her pride and joy was watching them walk in those ways. She also diligently shared her faith with many throughout the Rockaway community. Her service to the community included helping elderly and non-English speaking people with social service needs, cleaning homes, as well as writing letters, one of which resulted in a pardon by the governor of Puerto Rico, Luis Muñoz Marín. Upon transitioning to Montclair, NJ, Adelaida faithfully attended Christ Church, Montclair, NJ.

Adelaida is survived by her eight children namely, Cristina Maria DiMurro, Antonio Castro and his wife Evelyn, Robert Castro, Juanita Castro, Elena and her husband Dr. Eli Narciso Avila, David Castro, Mark Castro and his wife Theresa, Jeremy Castro and his wife Rosanna; 19 grandchildren namely, Paul Anthony, Sonja Elena, Cheri Ann, Evelina Ann, Tina Marie, Angelina Nichole, Antonio Jesus, Shane Lewis, Joshua Steven, Timothy Jaron, Jason Anthony, Julia Marie, Eli Narciso II, Emmanuel Narciso, David Nathaniel, Brandon Christopher, Xavier Tyee, Phoenix Ian, Symphony Rose; 5 great-grandchildren namely, Joshua Daniel Paul, Arianna Marie, Anaya Lyanna, Vienna Jaylynn, Chase; and many other loving family and friends. Adelaida was known for her warm smile, meekness, and loving disposition. She will be remembered as an avid woman of prayer.

Wake will be held the evening of Wednesday, January 13th at Christ Church-East Campus, 68 Church Street, Montclair, NJ 07042 from 6pm-7pm. Funeral service will immediately follow from 7pm-8pm. Burial will take place the morning of Thursday, January 14th at the National Historic Landmark, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY at 11am.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Martin's Home for Service Inc., Montclair, NJ. http://www.martinshfs.com/