Yayi Ramírez Portela, 94, affectionately known as Bella, of Roanoke Rapids, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico to the late Carmen María Girón and Julio Ramírez, she was a pillar of the community she cared deeply about and was a force of love and strength to all who knew her.
Bella was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Angel I. Portela, her stepfather Ricardo Villamil, and her “#1 grandson” Kenny Wood.
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The oldest of 6 siblings, she was also preceded in death by her sisters Carmen R. Toro and Lourdes R. Lassus, and her brother Ricar Villamil.
Bella's memory will be cherished by her children Gilbert Portela Sr. and his wife Lilia, Sussie P. Wood, Margie P. Nelson and her husband Ed, and Ricky Portela and his wife Sheila.
Her legacy spans four generations through her 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by her sisters Annie R. Castro and Aurora V. Rodríguez, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and close friends who loved her dearly.
Bella loved her family and her little island of Puerto Rico more than anything, always teaching her family to love each other first and foremost and to love their culture.
As a devoted matriarch – mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother – she found joy in cooking Sunday lunch, sharing her cooking and cross stitching with her family, attending countless sports games, plays and musicals, recitals and concerts, church and school events, and helping at the Angel’s Closet.
She leaves behind beautiful and wonderful memories that will live on in our hearts. May her memory be a blessing to us all. Rest in Heavenly peace, dear Bella, knowing that your legacy of love will endure through the generations and knowing that while you are looking down on us and smiling, we won’t forget the 3 Bs.
A funeral mass will be said Friday, May 10, 2024 at 12pm at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Roanoke Rapids.
Her family will take her ashes home to Puerto Rico to lay in rest beside her mother and other family members at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, to honor Bella's commitment to children with special needs, please donate to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or Harmony Day Support, Inc (1173 London Links Drive, Suite A-B, Forest, VA 24451).