Ada's obituary
Ada was born in 1938 in Caguas, Puerto Rico. Her parents were Sixto Caez and Josefina Rios Caez. She was the youngest of five siblings, with two sisters, Luz Maria and Hilda Violeta. And two brothers, Guillermo and Rafael. They all loved their baby sister. All of them have passed away, she was the last surviving sibling.
When she was three years old, her mother passed away from an illness. At 11, she also lost her father in an accident. She was deeply affected by her father's death, as she had grown very close to him after her mother died and frequently spoke of him.
Her aunt Catalina, on her father's side, raised her.
In 1961, she moved from Puerto Rico to live with her sister Violeta in New York.
That same year, a friend from Puerto Rico came to visit and stayed with Ada. This friend was interested in a young man named Rafael and took Ada with her to visit him at his brother Justino and sister in law Yolanda’s house.
When Rafael saw Ada sitting on the sofa, he fell in love with her beautiful green eyes and told his sister-in-law, "She will be my wife."
That night, they all went out to Times Square. Rafael bought Ada a rose, and she felt bad because her friend was interested in him, so she told him to buy a rose for her friend too. However, Rafael made it clear to the other young woman that he wasn't interested in her and continued to pursue Ada until they eventually became a couple and were married on November 28, 1963. Rafael dedicated the song "Aquellos Ojos Verdes" (Those green eyes) by Plácido Domingo to her and often sang it to her.
Ada and Rafael had four children: Edgardo, Sandra, Orlando, and Yaritza. She often spoke about her children and loved being a mother.
When she became pregnant with her first child, she contracted measles. The doctor told her that her child would be affected and suggested an abortion, but she said she couldn't do such a thing, even though she didn't yet know Jehovah. Jehovah saw her sincere and humble heart and made sure she found Him.
Her sister Violeta was visited by a Jehovah's Witness couple, and Ada listened in and became interested in learning more. She began Bible studies with this couple, the Pavons.
Later, they returned to Puerto Rico for a while, and there she continued learning about the Bible with some missionaries.
Ada continued to progress and grew to love Bible truths. She was baptized in the year 1970.
Ada spoke a lot about Jehovah, which piqued the curiosity of her sister-in-law, Maria Socorro, who then accepted a Bible study with Jehovah's Witnesses because she wanted to know more about the Jehovah Ada always spoke of (Psalms 83:18). She then came into the truth, and her husband Carlos, Rafael's brother, was also baptized.
Ada loved dancing, listening to music from the past, and singing along with her husband. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren: Lisandra, Alejandro, Justin, and Emily.
She was also thrilled to become a great-grandmother when her great-grandchildren Anthony and Amazi were born. She often spoke about all her children and grandchildren and frequently showed their photos. Ada also liked to be well-dressed and coordinated. When she got her first job, she went to a seamstress and had her make dresses she saw in magazines. She also loved when her daughter Sandra gave her manicures and pedicures.
She loved sweets. When her daughter Yaritza visited from Pennsylvania, she always had to bring muffins from Wegman’s, her favorites. She also loved animals, her cat Shasha was a comfort to her.
Ada was cherished by her family and friends. She was a great example of love, patience, kindness, and loyalty. She was very peaceable and forgave generously. Her family says she was very funny and always made them laugh. Even when she didn't feel well, she always managed to smile.
Above all, she loved spiritual things. Every Wednesday, she made sure her tablet was charged and prepared for the meeting. On Saturdays, she prepared her outfit for the Sunday meeting, as she strived to attend in person on Sundays to be with the friends. She often sang kingdom melodies throughout her day, and one of her favorites was “Forward you witnesses.”
Her children remember her efforts to raise them in Jehovah's ways. They never had to ask if they were going to the meeting or service. She sat with them to study the book of Bible stories or the Great Teacher and prayed with them every night. She took them to school and helped them with their assignments. Ada cooked her husband and children’s favorite dishes. She was a very dedicated wife and mother, as described in the book of Proverbs.
Worshipping Jehovah was the center of her life. Her husband, Rafael, didn’t support her faith for many years. Sometimes he cooperated and drove her to her meetings, but if not, that was not an obstacle. Ada walked a long way to the kingdom hall with her children, even if it was very cold. They remember that many times when they lived in the Bronx, they would go to the bakery across the street from the hall and buy warm bread to eat on their walk home. Last year, when she was hospitalized, she kept asking to be discharged to attend her assembly, even if she had to return to the hospital. For many years she enjoyed street witnessing on Rockaway Pkwy with her good friend Elba.
Her children will always remember Ada as the best mother they could have had. She was very tender with them and a real comfort for them. She taught them good values and taught them to see Jehovah as a real Father.
Ada was a submissive and respectful wife. She was always very patient. After many years, her husband, Rafael, also studied the Bible, was baptized, and they were able to enjoy meetings together. Ada was a precious gem to everyone in the family, and they long to see and embrace her again. (John 5:28,29)