Maria Del Carmen Abrahante

Maria Del Carmen Abrahante of Hollywood, Florida, passed away on Tuesday, February 28, 2022. She was 95 years old. Born in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico to Emilio and Jovita Figueroa. Maria was one of 11 children, 5 brothers and 5 sisters.

She attended Emilio Figueroa school, a school bult by her father for the Rio Grande community.  As a young woman, she worked as a governess taking care of children for wealthy families and moved to Wisconsin. Maria then moved to New York to live with her brother, Tasito, in 1950.

In NYC, she met my father Pedro and Married in 1951 before he went to Korea to serve. He returned home from the Korean War and they started a family. They had 8 children (7 boys, 1 girl).

Together, they started a real estate business with several rental properties in the Bronx. She went to night school for 3 years to learn English. She managed the business while raising her children. Maria was very involved in the community volunteering with the Church and School while donating to many causes. As a leader of the PTA for St. Athanasius school, she helped with many Fundraising events that contributed to building a new school on Southern Blvd. Many BINGO nights.

Later as a senior citizen, she also started a successful online business, Shaklee products. She was very savvy with technology and social media with her laptop, smart phone and Facebook. Maria was always learning and shared her wisdom with everyone.

Maria was very religious and was always there to help family and friends in difficult times with kindness, wisdom and hope. She had many interests and was well read.

She was everybody’s Mom to her siblings, children, grandchildren, cousins, Daughter n Laws and friends. You always had a great meal at our house, even strangers. Even after divorces, she remained a friend and confidant.

Maria will be remembered as someone who was forgiving and always emphasized the positive with a smile and laugh.  She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Maria is survived by her siblings – Emelia, Margarita, Rosa, Miguel and Angel. Also, her children – Pedro Jr., Reymundo, Arturo, Ruben, Robert and Armando. Maria has many grandchildren and great grandchildren as well.

She is predeceased by her husband Pedro, her daughter Jeanette and son Dwight.

A graveside service will be held at Calverton National Cemetery located at 210 Princeton Boulevard Calverton, NY on Friday, March 10th at 11:00am. For more information or to leave a condolence please visit www.pelhamfuneral.com