Maria Ethelia Portillo

Maria Ethelia Portillo Maria Ethelia Portillo, a beacon of warmth and strength, passed away peacefully on Christmas Day, 2024, at the age of 93. Born on March 28, 1931, in Quezaltepeque, El Salvador, Maria's remarkable life journey concluded in
the Bronx, NY.

Maria's early years in El Salvador shaped her lifelong dedication to caregiving. After studying nursing at Escuela Nacional de Enfermería, she worked at Hospital de Maternidad and Hospital de Antel in San Salvador, providing compassionate care and healing to countless patients. Her nursing career continued until 1969, when she emigrated to the United States.

Upon moving to New York, Maria transitioned to museum protection work, continuing her commitment to service in a new setting. She found joy in the simple pleasures of life-art, cooking, gardens, and, above all, caring for her family.

She was a devoted mother to Maricela O Duran, married to Patricio Duran (grandchildren Maricela B, Jennifer, Ingrid, Ivonne, Stephanie, and Patrick Duran); Ana Garcia (grandchildren Vanessa and Enrique Orellana); The late Ethelia Garcia (grandchildren Steven and Jaimie Rojas); Pablo Hernandez, married to Kathy Hernandez (grandchildren Andrew and Jessica Hernandez). Maria's love extended to her great-grandchildren: Jason, Joey, Luke, James, Savanna, Jose, Isabel, Cassiel, Amara, Ezeriel, and Diana.

Described as generous and fiercely independent, Maria's legacy lives on in the lives she touched. Her warmth, resilience, and devotion to her family remain an enduring source of inspiration. May Maria Ethelia Portillo rest in eternal peace, her memory cherished by all who knew and loved her.

Friends & family will be recieved Thursday 3-7 PM at the Hunt-Stellato Funeral Home, 1601 Palisade Ave, Fort Lee. Funeral mass Friday 10 AM St. Paul R.C. Church. Interment to follow at Christ the King Cemetery.