Elaine Cruz, 83, passed away peacefully Oct. 1, 2023, at her home in Holmdel surrounded by her loving children. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother.
Elaine was born and raised in the Ironbound section of Newark to the late Joseph and Priscilla Caravela. She was the beloved wife of Evaristo G. Cruz and they were married for 60 years, before he passed away in December 2022. Together, they built a wonderful life raising their six children.
Elaine was a devout Catholic and an avid reader. She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles every morning, traveling and a nice glass of wine. Elaine loved spending her summers in Bay Head and her winters in Palm Beach, Florida. She was kind and loving and would give the best advice.
Elaine was adored by everyone who met her. She lived her life for her family and was proud to always have her children and grandchildren around her. She will be deeply missed by all of them.
She is survived by her six children: Denise and her husband Jim Serpico of Colts Neck; Evaristo Cruz of Jersey City; Karen and her husband Tom Carson of Colts Neck; Leslie Cruz of Princeton; Tracy Cruz of Holmdel; and Michael Cruz of Holmdel. She is also survived by her three granddaughters, Alison, Kaitlyn and Jill, as well as her brother Joseph Caravela and his wife Marianne of West Caldwell.
She was predeceased by her brother Arthur Caravela.
A Mass of Christian Burial was offered Oct. 6 at the Church of St. Catharine in Holmdel. Ennichement followed at Holmdel Cemetery, Holmdel.
This article originally appeared in the October 12 – 18, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
