Zoila Galarza Cruz

Zoila Galarza Cruz, 94, of Hopewell, VA, passed away peacefully at home on April 20, 2025, Easter Sunday, following a multi-year struggle with dementia.

She was born at her parent's home in Gurabo, Puerto Rico, on July 19, 1930. The youngest of 6 children, she attended high school in San Juan at La Academia Católica, graduating in 1948, while living with her sister, Rosita and Rosita's husband, Nino (Antonio Cuevas). Nino and Rosita would provide inspiration and guidance to Zoila and her family for many years. She studied at Ramirez Business College, after which she worked as a secretary and volunteered as a Girl Scout leader.

On September 27, 1952, Zoila married Francisco Omar Cruz (Paco) and began a life of 30 years as an army spouse.

Although Zoila had never been off the island of Puerto Rico, never seen snow, and never experienced really cold weather, the first posting on which she accompanied her husband was to Germany in 1957. Given that she had two daughters by then, it was something of an adjustment, about which she would fondly reminisce many years later.

Subsequent assignments took the growing Cruz family to Maryland, briefly to the Bronx, back to Puerto Rico, again to Germany, once more to Maryland, to Augusta, Georgia, and eventually to Hopewell, in 1966. The family remained in Hopewell while Paco took his overseas postings. Zoila held down the fort, providing stability and purpose and serving as a center for her family, for 10 years. She ran a tight ship, as attested to by her daughters.

Wherever she lived, Zoila made friends, both among locals and other military spouses, and she maintained these friendships through letters and other means for many years.

After settling in Hopewell and as her daughters grew older, Zoila went back to work, finding employment at Fort Lee: the Nursery, the Post Exchange, and the Shoppette, garnering many service awards. For many years, she was involved in the AAFES retirees organization.

A life-long Catholic, Zoila attended St. James Catholic Church upon her move to Hopewell. She was involved in the Bereavement Ministry and Catholic Daughters. She was an Extraordinary Minister and active in the church's parochial school while her daughters were students. She attended adult religious classes and participated in multiple retreats and pilgrimages. Her devotion to her Lord and to Mary was evident, literally, in every room of her house.

Zoila and Paco always had an open door at their home to friends, family, daughters' roommates, and spouses. As is popular in their native Puerto Rico, they had wonderful Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve parties for their family and for their many friends of all ages and walks of life.

Zoila was the mother of four loving and devoted daughters, Zoila Cruz Hinson (Richard, Chapel Hill, NC), Yolanda Cruz Vazquez (Hopewell, VA), Rossana Cruz Collis (Bill, Fredericksburg, VA), and Vanessa Cruz (Richmond, VA).

Zoila was predeceased by her parents, Mateo and Rafaela; her siblings, Aida, Rafael, Antonio Luis, Rosita, and Juan Benito; and by her husband, Paco. She is survived by her four daughters; her five grandchildren, Yolanda Milagros Vazquez aka, "Dita" (Hopewell, VA), Zoila Elizabeth Hinson (Washington, DC), Manuel Omar Vazquez (Jance, Hopewell, VA), Edward Hinson (New York City), and Liam Collis (Fredericksburg, VA); and by many nieces, a nephew, and their families. Her two great-grandchildren, Vada Grace Vazquez and Catherine Sophia Vazquez, both of Hopewell, became the light of her life during her last years.

Zoila's focus was her family - her Mamita, siblings, husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren - and her religion. She was proud of her Puerto Rican heritage and proud to be an American, keeping flags of both Puerto Rico and the U.S. on display in her home.

Many were involved in providing care for Zoila during her last years. Special thanks go to Diane Williams and Teresa Isom, both of whom knew Zoila from their childhoods. Thanks also to Cam, Brittany, Ashley, Pastor Mike, and Shameka from ACG Hospice and to Gennell, Nicole, Charlie, Gloria, Cassie, Amanda, Neal, and Heather of Heartland Hospice.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital (Zoila's favorite charity) or St. James the Greater Catholic Church, of Hopewell, VA.

Visitation will be held on Monday, May 12, 2025, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, at the Hopewell Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. Services will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, beginning with a Rosary at 10:15 am, followed by a funeral Mass at 11:00 am, at St. James Catholic Church, 510 Poythress St., Hopewell, VA. A reception will follow in the St. James School cafeteria.