Lorenza Gomez Santana's Obituary
English:
Lorenza “Lola” Gomez Santana passed away peacefully on January 24, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.
Lola was surrounded by love from her family and lifelong friends in her final moments. Though our hearts ache with her passing, we are deeply grateful for the years we shared with her and will forever cherish every memory, every lesson, and every moment of her presence in our lives.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Candido Gomez and Maria Ercilia Santana, siblings, Jose Antonio, Ramon, Isidro, Alejandro, and Altagracia Gomez Santana, and her beloved husband, Jose Antonio Cristian Mena.
Lola is survived by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and siblings.
Yanira (Yani) Socorro Mena Gomez, her dedicated daughter, who, with love, did all she could while serving as her primary caregiver, standing by her side with care, protection, and unwavering devotion until the very end, Reynaldo (Rey) Bello, and their three adult children - Lola’s beloved grandchildren, Yaely Loreanne (Ellie/Yae), Yendeli Christianne (Yen), and Reyniel (Rey) Jose Bello Mena, whom Lola helped raise with boundless dedication, patience, love, and tenderness. To them, she was far more than their grandmother; she was their Mama Lola, a mother in every sense of the word, an undeniable love that knows no boundaries, limits, or end.
She is also survived by her daughter, Aleida Josefina Mena Gomez, who speaks of her with love and kindness and remembers her as a devoted mother who always led by example; her son-in-law, Lorenzo (Augusto) Ortega; and their three adult children. Lola’s beloved grandchildren, Madelin, Enmanuel, and Lorenny Maite Ortega Mena, as well as her six cherished great-grandchildren, Angel Enmanuel, Emma, Victoria Amelia, Eliam Francisco, Daniel Isaac, and Hannah Sophia.
Lastly, by her loving sisters, Lidia Gomez, Maria Gomez, and Ana Gomez, her nieces and nephews.
Lola’s love for her family and friends was evident in everything she did. She never met a stranger, only friends she had not yet made. From the very first meeting, people were drawn to her warmth and kindness. She had a special way of lighting up every room she entered, offering laughter, comfort, and a seat at her table to anyone who crossed her path. Lola formed meaningful connections wherever she went. Language was never a barrier, as her love spoke clearly and effortlessly, reaching others far beyond words.
She was born in San Francisco de Macorís, Dominican Republic, where her strength and vision were formed. She married there and raised her two daughters, whom she guided with wisdom and intention. With a love for beauty and fashion, she owned her own seamstress business and had the rare ability to create anything, from tailored suits and graceful dresses to bedding and nourishing meals made with care. She was a forward-thinking woman who taught her daughters that they never had to choose between being a career woman or a family woman, but that they could be both.
In her later years, Lola made her home in the United States, becoming the foundation and backbone of the family. She supported her daughter, Yani, and her son-in-law, Reynaldo, helping raise her three grandchildren, Yae (Ellie), Yen, and Rey, with an unmatched devotion that shaped them into the hardworking, selfless, and caring adults they are today.
Lola passed peacefully in that same home, surrounded by the love she had given so freely.
It is said that we do not leave this world until we have fulfilled our life’s purpose. Lola’s purpose extended far beyond being a caretaker/giver or what she did, but rather who she was. She uplifted every space she entered, shared wisdom through her words and actions, and always left people and places better than she found them.
Even as Alzheimer’s slowly took parts of her memory, Lola’s true essence remained. Though names may have faded, love never did. She did not need words to remember. With a soft gaze and a gentle smile, she would say, “claro que te conozco” / “of course I know you”, reminding us that love lives deeper than memory, and that love that never forgets.
“Yo a ti, siempre te diré linda niña de mamá, para que tú siempre me recuerdes con amor. Recuérdame siempre, con amor.” – Mamá Lola
Spanish:
Lorenza “Lola” Gómez Santana partió en paz el 24 de enero de 2026, luego de una larga y valiente lucha contra el Alzheimer’s.
Lola estuvo rodeada del amor de su familia y de amistades de toda la vida en sus últimos momentos. Aunque su partida deja un profundo dolor en nuestros corazones, damos gracias por los años compartidos con ella y guardaremos para siempre cada recuerdo, cada enseñanza y cada instante de su presencia en nuestras vidas.
Le precedieron en la muerte sus padres, Cándido Gómez y María Ercilia Santana; sus hermanos José Antonio, Ramón, Isidro, Alejandro y Altagracia Gómez Santana; y su amado esposo, José Antonio Cristian Mena.
Le sobreviven sus hijas, nietos, bisnietos y hermanas:
Yanira (Yani) Socorro Mena Gómez, su hija dedicada, quien con amor hizo todo lo posible como su cuidadora principal, acompañándola con cuidado, protección y una devoción firme hasta el final; Reynaldo Bello y sus tres hijos — los adorados nietos de Lola, Yaely Loreanne (Ellie/Yae), Yendeli Christianne (Yen) y Reyniel (Rey) José Bello Mena, a quienes Lola ayudó a criar con entrega infinita, paciencia, amor y ternura. Para Yae, Yen y Rey, ella fue mucho más que una abuela. Lola fue su Mamá Lola, una madre en todo el sentido de la palabra, un amor inmenso que no conoce límites, condiciones ni final.
También le sobrevive su hija, Aleida Josefina Mena Gómez, quien siempre la recuerda con amor y bondad, como una madre entregada que guiaba con el ejemplo, junto a su yerno, Lorenzo (Augusto) Ortega; sus queridos nietos, Madelin, Enmanuel y Lorenny Maite Ortega Mena, y seis amados bisnietos, Ángel Enmanuel, Emma, Victoria Amelia, Eliam Francisco, Daniel Isaac y Hannah Sophia.
Asimismo, le sobreviven sus estimadas hermanas, Lidia Gómez, María Gómez y Ana Gómez.
El amor de Lola por su familia y por todos los que la rodeaban se reflejaba en cada gesto. Nunca tuvo extraños, solo personas que aún no conocía. Desde el primer encuentro, su calidez y dulzura envolvían a quien se cruzara en su camino. Tenía una manera única de iluminar cualquier lugar al que llegaba, regalando sonrisas, consuelo y, siempre, un espacio en su mesa. Dondequiera que iba, dejaba huellas y lazos verdaderos. El idioma nunca fue una barrera, porque su amor hablaba por sí solo, claro y sincero, llegando directo al corazón.
El propósito de Lola fue mucho más que cuidar o dar, fue ser quien fue. Lola elevaba cada espacio que tocaba, enseñaba con sus palabras y con su ejemplo, y siempre dejaba a las personas y a los lugares mejor de como los encontraba.
Incluso cuando el Alzheimer fue apagando poco a poco algunos recuerdos, la esencia de Lola nunca se perdió. Los nombres podían desvanecerse, pero el amor jamás. No necesitaba palabras para recordar. Con una mirada dulce y una sonrisa serena decía: “claro que te conozco”, recordándonos que el amor vive más profundo que la memoria y que es un amor que nunca olvida.
“Yo a ti, siempre te diré linda niña de mamá, para que tú siempre me recuerdes con amor. Recuérdame siempre, con amor.” – Mamá Lola
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