Adria Gonzalez passed away on February 10, 2026, at 87 years of age. 

    She is survived by her nephews and nieces, Marcos, Ana, Amanda, Nora, and Anabelin, adoring grandnieces and grandnephews, and a loving extended family.  Adria was predeceased by her two brothers Anabel and Avelino, and her sister Berta.  She is survived by her brother-in-law Marcos, and sister-in-law Nora. We cherish her memory as a tremendous blessing and seek to pass on the warmth her life gave ours.

    Adria was a woman of enviable spirit, joy and love.  She adored singing, dancing, and performing in pageants and festivals for her Church. She cared for us as infants and taught us how to dance as soon as we could walk. Later in life, her grandnieces and nephews lovingly knew her as “The Energizer Bunny”. 

    She was born in the pastoral town of Banes, Cuba, on October 20, 1938.  Adria attended school in Memphis, Tennessee.  She returned to Cuba to study at the University of Oriente in 1959, but as Castro’s regime became more and more repressive, she emigrated to New York City in 1962. 

    Adria settled in Washington Heights.  She was among the first of her family to flee revolutionary Cuba.  In 1967, when Adria and her brother Avelino were in their 20s, sharing a small apartment, they took in their older sister, Berta, along with her husband and their children. 

    Adria worked at Gimbel’s and later at the perfume counter at Vim Drugs pharmacy on Broadway.  She was beautiful and stylish. Prior to her retirement, she assisted Dr. Rafael Lantigua at Columbia Presbyterian in studies related to Alzheimer’s research among families in Washington Heights and the Dominican Republic.

    Her sister Berta introduced Adria to a young, loving Puerto Rican pharmacist named Epifanio “Epi” Gonzalez, with whom she worked.  They were married on May 1, 1971. Adria and Epi settled in Fishkill, NY.  Their home became a summer camp for nieces and nephews from Washington Heights and the Bronx. Adria and Epi instilled in us their love of backyard cookouts, pool parties, small town parades, and flashlight tag.  They also taught us respect and admiration for police officers and firefighters.

    Epi volunteered as a fireman at the Rombout Fire Company in Fishkill.  He was a first assistant chief when he died tragically in the line of duty from injuries sustained during training exercises on November 24, 1984.  Adria found support, strength, and purpose in her dedication to her extended family. She was part of every celebration, wedding, birth, birthday, tragedy, and struggle. She moved to Leonia, NJ, and finally to Fairfield, CT, to help raise her grandnieces and nephews.

    In the last few years, while suffering from dementia, she remained her true self. Love, trust, joy, and song were her essence. In her final months, she found comfort in a warm touch, solace in her favorite songs, and peace in familiar prayer. She would light up listening to Celia Cruz’s “La vida es un carnaval”, and calm down praying “Ángel de mi guarda, dulce compañía, no me desampares, ni de noche, ni de día”.

    For many years, Adria’s generosity and love sheltered her family. Countless family members of later generations are blessed by her generosity.

    Adria was an inexhaustible light in the lives of those around her. We miss her brightness and energy but will never forget her love and warmth, Tia Aya.  She was, and always will be, our guardian angel. 

    Funeral Services will be held Saturday, February 21st, 2026, at 10:00 a.m, at St. Pius X Church in Fairfield. Following the funeral Mass, burial will be at Fishkill Rural Cemetery in Fishkill, N.Y.

    For travel directions or to sign her online guest register, please visit www.LeskoFuneralHome.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in her name to the Alzheimer's Association.