Matilde Cruz Carrera, of Steelton, passed away peacefully in her home to be with the Lord on June 13, 2025. She was 88 years old.

Matilde was born on January 22, 1937 in Camuy, Puerto Rico to Sophia Roman and Pedro Cruz. She was the youngest of 14 children and was the last sibling to survive. She moved to Illinois in the 1950’s and married her first husband, Agustine Soto, with whom she had two daughters and a son that passed away at infancy. In the mid 60’s, she moved back to Puerto Rico, divorced and married her second husband, Celso Carrera, with whom she had two more daughters.

In the mid 70’s, Matilde became widowed, moved to Bronx, New York and worked in textiles until retirement. Her youngest daughter stayed in Puerto Rico, and her three other daughters lived in New York with her. In the early 90’s, her daughters and their families moved to the Harrisburg area and Matilde soon followed to live in Steelton. Matilde became well-known to people in the area, especially in her apartment building (where she was known as “Grandma”). She regularly attended a Spanish-speaking church in Harrisburg until 2020, when the church closed due to COVID. She also thoroughly enjoyed sewing and crocheting. Matilde deeply and selflessly loved God, her family, and her cat.

Remaining to cherish Matilde’s memory are: her daughters, Guadalupe (Bronx, NY), Awilda (Grantville, PA), and Grimilda (Hatillo, PR); her grandchildren, Adrienne (Dillsburg, PA), Jason (Grantville, PA), Cristina (New York, NY), Felix (New York), Sheena (Steelton, PA), Jonathan (Harrisburg, PA), Lucas (Pittsburgh, PA), Guadalupe (Puerto Rico), and Grimilda (Puerto Rico); nearly 15 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Preceding Matilde in death are: her parents, Sophia and Pedro; her second husband, Celso; her infant son; her 13 siblings; her daughter, Vanca; her great-granddaughters Jacqueline and Isabella; and her great-grandsons, Jaxon and Christopher.

An intimate Celebration of Life will be held for family at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Harrisburg.