Paquita Zayas

The story of our mother’s life, Paquita Zayas, known to us as "Mama" and “Tita” has a simple humble beginning. She was born on the island of Puerto Rico in the small barrio of Naguabo on September 21, 1932 to her loving parents, Luis Rivera and Juana Lozano.  Tita was one of 14 siblings.

In the early years of her childhood, “Tita” was faced with death when afflicted with typhoid fever.  Her parents were preparing for the loss of their dear daughter and making funeral arrangements.  God’s purpose was being knitted together for her life and sickness would not overcome her.  She received her miracle from God allowing her to live until Thursday, March 4, 2021. From that point, she was the favorite child of her parents.  The envy of her siblings.

At the age of 21, God brought our mom to Buffalo, NY to babysit the children of close family friends.  Here is where she met the love of her life, Teodoro Zayas, while traveling to work using public transportation.  Teodoro lived on the East Side of Buffalo.  Paquita on the West Side.  Our God designs every step of our lives and he was about to bring Tita and Papa together.

Every morning on the corner of Main Street the two would board the second bus and travel to work together. What began with a “Good morning” soon lead to falling in love flourishing into a serious courtship by the summer of 1955.  Before reaching the 6 months of courtship, their church required for couples to either marry or end the courtship.  They were so in love that they took their vows before God in marriage on December 3, 1955 because no man was going to separate them only death.  As a sign of God’s Grace they beared fruit of five children: Miriam(Benjamin), Norma, Edwin(Dahyana), David(Nancy)and Ricky(Ineabelle); 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren.

Their spiritual journey as a couple started at Primera Iglesia Asambleas de Iglesias Cristiana in Buffalo NY.  Tita was an active member of the church as a children’s Sunday School teacher.  Other ministries that she directed were Vacation Bible School where she taught children songs like “Un Soldadito Quiero Ser” for the end of the summer program.  Mom also put on several Christmas and Easter productions which included recruiting the actors and sewing the costumes.

Their ministry as a couple expanded in the 1970’s to pastoring the first Assembly of Christian Church in Syracuse NY.  Their church ministry of 21 years healed the broken-hearted and provided a haven for the destitute.  Mom once again played an important role in the children’s ministry and church productions.

Our beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Paquita Zayas, as 2 Timothy 4:7 declares:  fought the good fight, kept the faith, and finished the race on March 4th 11:33am.  We are separated for a little while but will be together soon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to City Limits Ministry, 1600 Williamson Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27107.