Isabel R. Vargas

Isabel Rivera Vargas was born on March 9th, 1943 in Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico to Virgenmina Cotto and Jose Miguel Rivera. She was the youngest of four living children that included her two brothers Juan and Jose and her only sister Migdalia. 

In the 1950's, Virgenmina and her four children moved from Puerto Rico to New York City where Isabel learned to be a provider and protector of her family. The family was financially poor and struggled through many unfortunate circumstances. However, Isabel grew up choosing to become greater than her upbringing, environment and circumstances.

She  would later marry and have four daughters, Gloria Ester, Elizabeth, Gwendolyn and Janelle, who would be taught to be strong, resilient, compassionate and loving women. Isabel became a strong and prominent professional leader in Rochester, New York focused on giving minorities a voice and a life of dignity and respect. Her daughters all carry this inheritance. 

In the 1970's, Isabel accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Saviour and would later rededicate her life to Him in 1985, after meeting the love of her life, Carmelo Vargas. Carmelo and Isabel would marry on June 22nd, 1985 surrounded by their loving family and friends. In October 1987 God called them to San Antonio, Texas where they would live out their partnership of service to the Lord. They were part of their love story for almost 39 years and renewed their vows on February 10th, 2024. Their profound and beautiful love for one another never ceases.

Surrounded by the love of her husband, daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren Isabel succumbed to the effects of Dementia and Alzheimer's on February 14th,2024. God chose a day when we celebrate love here on Earth to take her to her eternal home where He will continue to care for and love her Eternally! 

Isabel Rivera Vargas is survived by her darling husband, Carmelo Vargas, her four daughters, Gloria Ester Maldonado, Elizabeth Cruz Reed, Gwendolyn Rivera May and Janelle Rivera. She leaves a beautiful legacy of 11 grandchildren: Adam, Elizia, Clarisa, Israel, Isaiah, Gabriel, Mariah, Alessandra, Kassandra, Dominic, Danelle and Dasia, 18 great grandchildren: Zahria, Isela, Leilani, Edward "E.J", Adalyn, Ezekiel, Evanna, Zion, Zein, Ezmie, Ajia, Aiden, Giselle, Joseph, Sophia, Amelia, Cameron and Alaina and a multitude of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. 

She will live eternally in the arms of God and forever in our hearts!