Maria I. Perez

Maria Isabel Perez, 90, of West Caldwell, N.J. passed away on Saturday, December 20, 2025. Relatives and friends may visit with the family at Dancy Funeral Home, 9 Smull Ave., Caldwell, on Sunday, December 28, 2025, from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM. A Mass will be held at St. Aloysius Church, Caldwell, on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at 9:30 AM, followed by a burial at Calverton National Cemetery in Wading River, Long Island.

Maria Isabel Ramirez Anderson was born in Naguabo, Puerto Rico on April 22, 1935, where she lived with her parents and four siblings. When she was 12, her family moved to New York City, and she quickly and proudly became fluent in English. She often recounted fond memories of growing up in the countryside and of her childhood schooling, carrying with her many expressions and proverbs taught by her mother.

Early on, she exhibited sharp intelligence, loved reading and excelled in mathematics. After attending a vocational Catholic high school, she acquired exceptional secretarial skills that would define her professional life. A metropolitan woman, Maria Isabel had a successful career as an executive secretary at Balaban & Co., a prominent Wall St. accounting firm, where her precision and professionalism were deeply valued.

In 1964, she married Alfredo Perez and a few years later they moved to Queens Village, NY, where they raised their three children and lived for 46 years. During that time, she sacrificed tirelessly as a working mother to support them and encouraged their passions in music, dance, and sports, and even served as her daughters’ softball coach. In later years, she generously gave her affection to her eight grandchildren (plus her “grand-dogs). Eventually, they moved to West Caldwell in 2012 to be nearer to two of her children.

Maria Isabel was known for her excellent Puerto Rican cooking, especially her arroz con gandules. Her pastimes included watching game shows and all types of sports (particularly baseball and the Mets), as well as the thrill of playing the slot machines at the casino. Throughout her life, she shared a particularly close bond with her youngest sister Teresa and also treasured phone calls and visits from family and friends, most of all her lifelong Puerto Rican girlfriends from her early years in New York City. She always enjoyed celebrations and would dance up a storm and socialize with everyone.

As a strong, confident matriarch, she led with an unwavering sense of duty. She was steadfast in her personal and religious beliefs, and her wisdom and insightful advice were highly valued. She was a devoted member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Queens Village and, after moving to New Jersey she became a devoted member of St. Aloysius Parish. She maintained her health and independence until her final weeks, living her life with resilience and grace. Her strength, zest for life and deep devotion to her loved ones will always be remembered.

Maria Isabel and Alfredo Perez were married for nearly 60 years until his passing at 88 years old in January 2024. She is the beloved mother of Alfredo Perez and his wife, Marcella, Veronica Pietromonaco and her husband Robert, and Teresa Ceccon and her husband, Andrew; dear sister of Carmen Ana Ramirez Anderson and her predeceased siblings Cesar Ramirez, Luz Teresa Ramirez and Ernesto Ramirez. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren, Teresa Pietromonaco, James Perez, Daniel Pietromonaco, Linda Perez, Angelica Pietromonaco, Vance Ceccon, Sara Perez and Lulu Ceccon.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Maria Isabel’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org).

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared on her obituary page at www.dancyfuneralhome.com.