Gladys Pabon Velez

It is with both sorrow and celebration of a life well lived that we commemorate the life of Gladys Pabon Velez, lovingly known by her family as "Mamita". Born on the 20th of July, 1942 in Jayuya, Puerto Rico. Gladys was a woman of admirable spirit and strength. Her thoughtful, loving, loyal and spirited nature touched the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing her. She was a homemaker par excellence, a role she performed with great love and dedication, creating a warm and nurturing environment for her children.

Gladys was an ardent lover of fishing, a passion she passed down to her sons and grandsons. Her love for her family was unparalleled, and she made every effort to ensure they knew how much they meant to her. She was a living testament to the words of Barbara Kingsolver: "The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope, running down its hallways, touching the walls on both sides." Survived by her sons, Luis Cartagena, Luis O. Cartagena, Angel Cartagena, and Roberto Vivas Pabon. Gladys's memory will live on through them and the lessons she imparted. Gladys also will always be remembered by her 8 Grandchildren, 17 Great Grandchildren and 6 Great Great Grandchildren. Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, Eugenio Pabon and Rosa Velez.

A viewing for Gladys will be held on Thursday, March 27, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at Puerta Del Cielo® Funeral Home, 730 State Street, Springfield, Massachusetts, with a second viewing on Friday, March 28, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. The burial will take place on Friday, March 28, 2025, at 10:30 AM, at Oak Grove Cemetery of Springfield Inc., 426 Bay Street, Springfield, Massachusetts.

We encourage those who knew and loved Gladys to share their memories and upload photos to her memorial page, as a tribute to her life and the impact she had on so many.