Maria Montanez Barbosa

Maria Montanez Barbosa, of Lawrence, passed away in the comfort of her home with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren at her bedside. Maria was born Patillas, Puerto Rico the daughter of the late Estanislao Montanez and his wife Julia Montanez Barbosa. She was educated in Patillas and was a homemaker. Maria was known for her excellent cooking of Spanish foods. Tell her what you want, and she will whip a meal with love in seconds. From Puerto Rico she moved with her family to Lawrence. Later, she joined her son in California, settling in Linwood, CA, where she raised her 14 children. Maria moved the family to Lawrence in 1985 - 1986 and has made her home here ever since. Maria enjoyed planting, cooking, music, and dancing; she mostly loved family gatherings. She was a parishioner of St. Patrick's Church in Lawrence. Her family recalls that Maria loved jewelry, dressing up, and getting her nails and hair done. She always shopped with her children, and on the 1st of each month, they would start with breakfast at Carleen's Breakfast. She was a very proud 18-year resident of Beacon Housing on Andover and Beacon St. in Lawrence 

Maria was blessed by and is survived by her children: daughter Iris Rivera and her husband Steve of Orlando, FL; son Abraham Rivera and his companion Beverly of Orlando, FL; son Felix Rivera and his wife Debbie Salazar of Lakeland, FL; son Hector Rivera and his wife Joanne Salazar of Lawrence, son Brigido Rivera and his wife Carmen Rivera of Apopka, FL; son Ismael Rivera and his companion Sylvia of Haverhill; and son Catalino "Junior" Rivera and his wife Dianna Lebron of Lawrence, son Miguel "Touche" Rivera and his wife Maria of Orlando, FL;  daughter Maribel Rivera of Winter Haven FL; Blanca Rivera and her husband Julio Rivera, of Lawrence, Irida Rivera and her husband Wilson Vasquez of Lawrence and Jolanda Cardenas of Tampa, FL. 

Maria is survived by 37 grandchildren and their children.

In addition, Maria is survived by siblings, Alba Montanez, Giga Montanez, Ramon Montanez, and Lidia Montanez.

She was predeceased by her children, Nellie Rivera and Angel Rivera, and her brother Eddie Montanez.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 10:00 am at FARRAH FUNERAL HOME, 133 Lawrence Street, Lawrence, MA 01841. Friends may call Friday, April 26, 2024, form 4:00 to 8:00 pm at FARRAH FUNERAL HOME