Celina Baez Sotomayor

1927 - 2021

Celina Baez Sotomayor, mother of U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Dr. Juan Sotomayor, physician in Liverpool, New York, died peacefully at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston, Florida, surrounded by family on Sunday, July 25, 2021. The cause was complications from cancer. She was 94 years old.

Celina was born in Lajas, Puerto Rico on June 2, 1927. Orphaned at age 9, she was raised by her older sister, Aurora, in San Germán, Puerto Rico. She joined the Women's Army Corps during World War II and migrated to the mainland United States, where she served in New York City. After her discharge, she married Juan Luis Sotomayor, who died of a heart attack in 1964. She raised her daughter and son as a single parent in the Bronx, New York.

Celina worked for 35 years at Prospect Hospital in the South Bronx, first as a telephone operator, then as a practical nurse, often taking on a second job to further her children's education. In her 40s, with Sonia and Juan in high school, she earned her nursing degree from Hostos Community College and passed the licensing exam to become a registered nurse. She returned to Prospect Hospital where she eventually became an emergency room supervisor. After the hospital closed, Celina worked in a methadone clinic in lower Manhattan. Upon her retirement in 1992, Celina and Omar R. Lopez moved to Margate, Florida and later married. Omar passed away in 2015.

Celina was a beloved mother whose home was a gathering place for family and friends. She was a generous caregiver, frequently going out of her way to help neighbors who needed nursing assistance.

In addition to Sonia and Juan, Celina is survived by her grandchildren Kiley, Connor and Corey. The family will hold a private memorial service. Contributions in Celina's name may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of Puerto Rico at http://bgcpr.org/en/