Iraida Bahena Feliciano-Pagan

Born on September 1, 1948, in Utuado, Puerto Rico, to Eulalia Pagán and Juan Feliciano, Iraida Bahena Feliciano-Pagán, lovingly known to family and friends as Iris, was a woman whose kindness, faith, and love left an unforgettable mark on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Iris always had a smile to share and a warm hug waiting for anyone who crossed her path. She had a remarkable ability to make people feel welcome, valued, and loved. Whether you were family, friend, neighbor, or stranger, she opened her heart to you without hesitation.

As a daughter, sister, mother, wife, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Iris dedicated her life to caring for others. She was the proud mother of William, Lynn, Alexander, and Lainnie, and her love for her children extended through every generation of her family. Her greatest joy came from seeing her loved ones together, laughing, sharing stories, and creating memories that would last a lifetime.

Those who knew Iris knew she had a gift for honesty. She was never afraid to tell it like it was, but her words always came from a place of genuine love and concern. She wanted the people she cared about to succeed, to be happy, and to stay true to themselves. Her wisdom, guidance, and straightforward nature became one of the many ways she showed her love.

Throughout her life, Iris worked many jobs, from seamstress to nanny, but the role she embraced most wholeheartedly was that of homemaker. She poured her energy and devotion into creating a home filled with warmth, comfort, and love. She had a special way of making a house feel like a refuge.

Iris found joy in life's simple pleasures. She loved reading books and could spend hours immersed in a good story. She enjoyed watching her favorite shows, especially Caso Cerrado, and she never passed up the opportunity to enjoy a scary movie. She loved watching the birds and finding beauty in the world around her. Perhaps most of all, she loved sharing stories from her own life. With every memory she told, she passed down lessons, traditions, laughter, and pieces of herself that will continue to live on through those who listened.

At the center of Iris's life was her unwavering faith in God. She loved the Lord deeply and welcomed Him into every aspect of her life. Her faith guided her decisions, strengthened her during difficult times, and shaped the compassion and generosity she showed to others. She shared her faith not only through words, but through the way she lived, serving as an example of love, resilience, and devotion.

Throughout her life, Iris faced illnesses and hardships that would have broken many people. Yet time and again, she met those challenges with incredible courage, determination, and faith. She demonstrated a remarkable strength of spirit, trusting in God through every obstacle and persevering with a resilience that inspired everyone around her. Her life was a testament to the power of faith and the strength of a woman who never gave up.

While we mourn the loss of Iris, we also celebrate the beautiful life she lived. We remember her laughter, her stories, her honesty, her cooking, her hugs, and her unwavering love for her family. We remember a woman whose faith never wavered, whose strength never failed, and whose heart was always open to those around her.

Though she is no longer with us in body, her love remains in every lesson she taught, every memory she shared, every meal she prepared, and every life she touched. Her legacy lives on through her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all who were blessed enough to know her.

Iris was deeply loved, and she will be deeply missed. May she rest in the loving arms of the God she served faithfully throughout her life.