Maria D. Enriquez

Maria D. (Lola) Enriquez (nee Mendez Nieto) passed away peacefully with her family at her side on April 5, 2025 at the age of 103. 

She was born in Miranzo, Ourense, Spain, where she raised her family before immigrating with her husband and daughters to the U.S. in 1971. She resided in the Ironbound section of Newark, where she worked and continued to live until 2024. The Ironbound became her home and a place where she developed many friendships. She would engage in conversation with her neighbors on Nichols Street and her many acquaintances during café visits to Ferry Street, to Seabra's Supermarket and Popular fish market, not to mention her favorite place of all - Nasto's Ice Cream on Jefferson Street. 

Lola attended Sunday mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church for many years. As her eyesight began failing, family members knew better than to call her on Sunday mornings when she was following mass on TV. After her retirement from Belco Lights in 1984, Lola traveled every summer to her beloved Miranzo. She continued traveling to Spain until 2020. She looked forward to those visits with great anticipation and always came back rejuvenated and full of stories to share. When she could no longer make the trip, Galicia TV was her daily connection to life in Spain and the sound of bagpipes from the airwaves could often be heard a block away from her open windows. Lola loved family gatherings and holiday celebrations and was supremely proud of her octopus and empanadas dishes.

Lola is survived by her daughters, Obdulia Mendez (Henry Mendez) and Maria Dios (Guy Sterling); her grandchildren, Jennifer (Mendez) Jaghab, Henry Mendez and Amanda and Cristina Dios; great grandchildren, Victoria Lola and Aiden Jaghab; and eight nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Vincente Enriquez; and six siblings. 

Funeral arrangements are private.