Blanca Estrella Bermudez passed away peacefully on August 9, 2020. Her name—Blanca Estrella—means White Star.
She was surrounded by her loving family—some live and some virtual.
6 daughters and sons: Aida E. Cuevas, Gladys Mercado, Brunilda Gonzalez, Judith Mercado-Cohen, Isabel M. Cuevas, Carmen Ivette Varallo, William Arocho, and Hector E. Arocho, Sr. 11 grandchildren: Vivian Santos (Christin Blott, life-partner); Ivelisse Cuevas; Veronica Gonzalez; Ivan Cuevas (Madeline, spouse); Irving Cuevas; Miguel Gonzalez, JR.; Dr. Shari Cohen; Arielle Cohen, and Marysol Leonetti (Lisa, spouse); Alexander Varallo; and Dr. Nicole Kuchan (Anthony, spouse). 3 great grandchildren: Kristin Arocho, Hector Arocho, JR., and Xanathy Gonzalez. 2 great-great grandchildren: Hector Arocho III, and Kristian Arocho. 2 Daughters-in-law: Marie Arocho and Jenny Arocho. 2 sons-in-law: Miguel Gonzalez, SR. and Vince Varallo.
Blanca was born in 1927 in the mountains of Caguanas, Utuado, Puerto Rico, on a beautiful day. She was the second child of what would be 14 siblings. Daughter to her hard working and honorable parents, Juan Arocho and Maria Angelina Montalvo, Blanca helped raise her brothers and sisters.
She is survived by her 6 daughters and 2 sons. She also has 11 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and 23 great-great grandchildren.
Blanca moved to Vineland NJ in 1969 and raised her family with love and the commitment to give them a good life. She moved to Florida five years ago. She now joins her many family members into heaven rejoicing in her favorite Psalm 23, the Lord is my Shepherd.
Blanca dedicated her life to her family. She remained the matriarch until she could no longer care for herself. At that point, her family took care of her. Special acknowledgment goes to daughter, Isa, who was her primary-care provider for the past several years.
As Blanca now rests in peace, her legacy and her message resound throughout her family. We all cherish that we will forever be a part of “Blanca y Familia.”
At the moment of her death, mid-morning, a roar of thunder shook the house. On the evening of her death, a single White Star adorned the sky, and her family knew that she was and will always be with them.