Carmen Maria Zayas

Carmen Maria Zayas, age, 87, of Holyoke, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 23, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on February 23, 1939, in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, to Claudio Padilla and Senona Pagan. After graduating from high school in Puerto Rico, she moved to the United States. She married Victor Zayas in 1959, and together they shared many wonderful years. Carmen was known for her kindness, sense of humor, and dedication to her family. She devoted much of her life to caring for others through her work as a dedicated Labor and Delivery nurse at Providence Hospital and with Baystate Midwifery and Women's Health Group, where she found great purpose in helping families welcome new life into the world. Outside of work, she enjoyed spending time with her family and taking daily walks on the beach after retiring and moving to Humacao. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her grandchildren, and she cherished getting to meet her great-grandchildren. She was also a cherished member of the Catholic Church in Humacao, where she volunteered during Mass and at the church’s pulguero — a small community store that served local families.

She is survived by her five children: Evelyn Brown and her husband, Matt; Victor Zayas; Richard Zayas and his wife, Ann; Jamie Zayas and his wife, Chrissy; and Jerry Zayas and his wife, Mim, as well as 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Victor, in 1988; several brothers and siste rs; and her son-in-law, Ed Czerniak.

A funeral will be held on Thursday, May 28, at 11:00am from the Barry Farrell Funeral Home, located at 2049 Northampton Street in Holyoke, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Blessed Sacrament Church at 11:30 a.m. Burial at St. Jerome’s Cemetery will immediately follow. Calling hours will be held at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to her church, Parroquia La Sagrada Familia in Puerto Rico. Contributions may be mailed to: Parroquia La Sagrada Familia, 3 Executive Drive, Palmas del Mar, Humacao, Puerto Rico.

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