Yolanda Cruz-Cartagena

Yolanda departed this life on Monday April 13, 2026 at home in Trenton, New Jersey.

Yolanda Cruz Cartagena was born on Monday, January 20, 1969 in Aibonito, Puerto Rico to Juan and Raquel Cartagena.

She was educated in her Aibonito. She attended vocational school where she studied culinary and arts and crafts.

Yolanda was always taking care of her family and in between she was employed by the Lamp Factory, Taco Bel, the Dollar Store, Bodegas, Burlington Coat Factory and as a bus aide. She was very inventive, and always created different things to sell. Yolanda also was the babysitter for all the kids in the family.

Yolanda will always be remembered for being a strong Christian women of faith. She was always bringing the family together, loving the outdoors and going on adventures. She enjoyed cooking so much she even had a recipe book, she loved knitting, taking family vacations and gardening

She was predeceased by her father Juan Cartagena; her mother Raquel Cartagena her brother Nelson Cartagena.

Yolanda's memory will be cherished and forever remembered by her husband of 40 years Edwin Cruz, her children Madeline Cruz, Edwin Cruz Jr., Zenaida Cruz, and Yaricza Cruz; a son-in-law Rico Bell; her siblings Jose A: "Naldo" Rivera (Adeline),. Edwin Cartagena (Ana Castro) Marisol Cartagena (Kenneth Leiva), Tomas Cartagena (Maribel Torres); her grandchildren Milany Cruz, Jeglin Cruz, Edwin Cruz. Eliezer Gomez Cruz, Rico Bell Jr. and Zofia Bell; her nieces and nephews Khamuilay Yoamy, Raquelita, Yashira, Jennifer, Ricardo, Heydey, Willi, Juanita, Estrella, Tatiane and Julie; her dear friends Lucy, Anabelle and Sandra; and a host of other relatives and friends

Funeral service will be 1pm Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Iglesia de Dios Centro Cristiano Encuentro Con Dios, 821 Jacksonville Mount Holly Rd., Fieldsboro, NJ 08505. Calling hours will be 11am until the time of service at the church. Interment will be private.

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