Zoila Mercedes Baez Castro, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, passed away on July 3, 2024. She was 90 years old.
Born in Valencia, Venezuela, Zoila is survived by her loving husband of 69 years, Anibal, her three living children, Aymez, Aline, and Adriana and one grandson, Jeremiah, son of Adriana, and affectionately referred to by Zoila as “Mi Principe” (my prince in Spanish). Zoila was predeceased by her son Anibal Jesus who passed in 2016.
Zoila and Anibal migrated to the United States in 1999 settling in Miami, Fl. Years later, they moved to Massachusetts to be closer to family and to welcome Jeremiah into the family and fully embrace the “fine art of grandparenting.” Zoila often commented that having Jeremiah in her life made her feel complete and filled with joy. They were “two peas in a pod,” always finding time for snuggling and giggling together.
Zoila’s upbringing in Venezuela was humble. Growing up she helped her mother and siblings in Venezuela by selling flowers at the cemetery, doing laundry and cooking for other families while attending school. Zoila had two brothers and three sisters and a reputation for climbing trees in their backyard when she was in trouble and her mother was looking for her.
In America, Zoila lived a happy and fulfilled life, surrounded by love and family. Her passion was taking care of her home, cooking, and sharing love and happiness everywhere she went. She enjoyed making crafts, oil painting, gardening, walking, and cooking Venezuela traditional food. She devoted her life to her family and always found time to help those less fortunate. In recent years, Zoila would often donate food, clothing, and time to help those in need and often sent boxes filled with food and basic needs to relatives and friends left back home in Venezuela.
She will be remembered as a kind, compassionate, and generous person who touched the lives of all she met. Her courage and positivity were inspirational. While her sweet smile will be deeply missed, her legacy of love and service will live on through family, friends, and all those who knew her.
A funeral mass will be celebrated at Saint Charles Borromeo in Woburn on Saturday July 13, 2024, at 11:00 AM. Burial at Woburn’s Woodbrook Cemetery will follow.