Sara Maria Quintana was one of eight children born to parents, Andres Rivera and Aurelia Rodriguez, in Las Marias, Puerto Rico. Dary Lee Rivera is the only living sibling, currently living in Puerto Rico. Her father died before she was able to finish high school. Consequently, she had to start working to help the family start earning money for basic necessities. She babysat small children and helped with maintaining the family’s crops of fruits and vegetables. She also helped with feeding chickens, pigs, and milking cows. Her family learned to live off of the land’s resources to survive. They sold a portion of their crops to others on the sides of their property to support the household. Learning the value of money at such an early age was the driving force that helped her succeed with every job she performed.

As a young adult, she married Juan Quintana and moved to New Jersey. From this union were born four children: Jose, Roberto, Daisy, and Sara. Caring for her family was her priority. She enjoyed preparing meals for others and had a big heart for the needy. She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior in her thirties, after someone handed her a bible and led her to Christ. Although she was baptized Catholic, and all four children engaged in that denomination’s culture, as she got older, she was spirit-led to join a church that was more Christ-centered. It would be her faith that would give her the wisdom to care for her family and others.

As all four children moved on to their own life adventures, she and her husband worked at the meat packing company for ten years. The company’s decision to close and relocate prompted them to pursue a different career path. They moved to Chenango, New York, to train to be foster parents. They became foster parents to many families for many years. She loved those children as though they were her own. As they got older, they decided to move back to New Jersey to be closer to better healthcare for her husband, Juan.

Their retirement years would be filled with many challenges, both physically and spiritually. She continued to manage her household affairs until her husband’s passing in 2010. The first of spiritual challenges was accepting that 2010 would be the last year anyone would hear from her oldest daughter, Daisy. As time went on, she would enjoy the remaining family times, with church activities, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

In 2015, her faith was challenged again with the loss of her two sons, Jose and Roberto. She struggled for many years with heartbreak, but her faith kept her strong. She continued to trust God for her many blessings of provision, family, and friends.

She continued to serve others, as her strength allowed. She didn’t hesitate to share with anyone who would listen, “Cristo Te Ama!” “Jesus loves you”. Her soul touched many lives in lasting and loving ways. As her final chapter came to a close, she was able to let go of past hurts to enjoy the remaining family and friends surrounding her. 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Andres Rivera and Aurelia Rodriguez, Husband Juan Quintana, and children Jose and Roberto.

She leaves to mourn her loss her children, Sara Beeks, Daisy Lussier, and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sister Dary Lee Rivera, and a host of extended family and friends.