Carmen Maria Ozoa Peña, 84, of Plainfield, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Abingdon Care and Rehabilitation Center in Green Brook.

Born on November 28, 1940, in Lares, Puerto Rico, to the late Claudio Ozoa and Emilia Soto, Carmen grew up surrounded by the warmth of her family and the vibrant traditions of her hometown. In the early 1960s, she moved to Chicago, where she began raising her family and welcomed her first two children. After her marriage, a fortunate turn of events from a winning horse race allowed her and her family to return to Puerto Rico, where her third child was born.

Tragedy struck with the heartbreaking loss of her young son, Teodosio “Teddy” Peña, in 1975. Following this, Carmen relocated to Long Island with her daughters, and in 1979 she settled in Plainfield, New Jersey, where she would spend the remainder of her life.

Carmen was a woman of remarkable strength and resilience. She worked diligently throughout her life at several factories, including the Knickerbocker Toy Factory in Plainfield, a job she remembered fondly. She later served in the laundry department at JFK Hartwyck Nursing Home. Beyond her formal work, Carmen’s entrepreneurial spirit shone through. She was the neighborhood babysitter for friends and family, a talented cook who prepared and sold delicious pasteles, and someone who always found ways to provide for and support her loved ones.

Her faith was central to her life, and she often attended services with her daughter at Raritan Valley Baptist Church. Carmen found joy in simple pleasures—cooking meals that brought her family together, spending time with children, nurturing her plants and coin collection. Above all, family was at the center of her world, and her love and devotion to them never wavered.

She was predeceased by her beloved son, Teodosio “Teddy” Peña. She leaves behind her loving daughters, Vivian Iza and Madeline Peña; her cherished siblings, Blanca, Ángel (Quiro), Ramón,  Ana, Braulio, and Maria (Melita); five grandchildren Yovaira Cruz, Allysa Melendez, Mariah Arrue Aponte, Darius Iza, and Christopher Curras. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren Devian Cruz, Jada Cruz, Jazmya Cruz, Matthew Arrue Perez, Elias Cruz, and Josiah John (JJ) Arrue Aponte. Her niece Gloria (Gory) Torres who helped care for her and many extended relatives and dear friends who will hold her memory close to their hearts.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Raritan Valley Baptist Church, 592 Old Post Road, Edison, NJ 08817. A second visitation will take place on Thursday, August 21, 2025, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 5:00 p.m., also at Raritan Valley Baptist Church. Carmen will be laid to rest next to her beloved son Teddy at the Cementerio Municipal de San Sebastián in Puerto Rico at a later date.