On Tuesday, October 27, 2020, Selenia Rosario Colón (Mamy) passed away in Plano, TX at the age of 85. Leukemia and pneumonia won the battle, but with her faith, Jesus won the war. She was born on Feb. 22, 1935 in Manatí, Puerto Rico to Ricardo Rosario Ponce and Elena Colón Gonzalez (both deceased), and is preceded by her siblings Mercy (whom she considered her second mother), Abraham (whom she considered her second father), Gilberto (of whose accomplishments she boasted), and Fernandito (her “baby” brother who passed away too young), and by her son Carlito (whose presence she felt daily). Selenia is survived by her daughter Grisenia Matos, and son-in-law Charles Barry, and Zahira Plemons, and son-in-law Ralph Plemons, and by her son Rick Matos, and daughter-in-law Karla Matos, and her grandchildren Lili Harrison, Emily Matos, Nick Matos, Nathaniel Plemons, and Joshua Plemons.
Mamy was a caring person who put the needs of her family and others before hers. In raising her children, she practiced fairness and firmness of character, while still appreciating their differences, but most importantly she provided unconditional love from the depths of her heart. She planted the seed of faith in their hearts, a seed which continues to bear fruit. Her children and grandchildren were her greatest pride, whom she often referred to as the angels around her. She was everyone's mom and the "adopted" grandmother for others.
Often referred to as a sweet lady, Mamy made friends easily wherever she went. It was important to her to make those around her feel important and valued. She was also a little bit of a "pistol" and shot back when you least expected it, often times causing people to fall off their chairs in laughter.
She truly believed that making a difference in society was one of the most important things each of us was made to do. So, she had several careers and performed charitable work, often giving more than she had to spare. After earning a bachelor's degree in nutrition, she began her career as a physics teacher and earned the Teacher of the Year award for the Science Department in the Puerto Rico School District. She worked as a dietician in Amarillo, TX to help the ill recuperate and as a Realtor in Dallas, TX to help families finds “homes”, not just houses. Ultimately, she managed two learning centers for low-income children. One of her greatest joys was helping orphaned children while she worked at the Buckner Family Center.
In her spare time, she enjoyed cooking, arts and crafts, and singing in the church choir, all of which have been passed along in one form or another throughout the family tree. Mamy will be greatly missed.
A rosary service, followed by Memorial Mass, will be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish (2700 W. Spring Creek, Plano, TX 75023; www.setonparish.org) on Saturday, October 31, 2020 beginning at 12:30 PM. The Mass takes place at 1:00 PM and will be live-streamed at https://youtu.be/PTJQJyY3pA8 beginning at 12:55 PM for those unable to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (www.LLS.org).