
Musician Paco Arespacochaga and his son Heaven paid tribute to Geneva Cruz's mom Marilyn Cruz after the latter passed away from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
In a tell-all post, the INTRoVOYS drummer remembered his former mother-in-law by sharing all the memories they spent together -- despite it being short.
He said on Facebook, “Goodbye Mama. I always called her 'Mama.'
“She hated it at first because she dreaded the thought of having me as her future son-in-law. Eventually, she accepted me with open arms, her 'first son.' She was 'mom' to me and to all my siblings. She was even caring and loving, and full of life. She adopted me, my siblings, my friends, and ALL OF MY KIDS.”
According to Paco, the Cruz matriarch was “generous” and “loving” to the point that she will endure “so many heartaches in her lifetime… but would brush it off because a lot of people depended on her.”
“Mama was a breath of fresh air,” he added.
“The room brightened when she entered. The kitchen came alive when she started cooking. She even made puchero for me, Jaja, and the whole family when she and Geneva celebrated their 'despedida' at our place.
“In the absence of my biological mother, she became mine. Even after my marriage to Geneva ended, mama was always my mom. She was Jaja's mother-in-law. All of my children know her as 'mama.'”
Paco continued, “You will always be in my heart and the hearts of many. Your laughter will always be in my heart. I love you, Mama! Thank you for loving everyone in your life… ESPECIALLY ME!”
Read his full post below:
Meanwhile, Paco and Geneva's son Heaven also paid tribute to his late grandmother by posting throwback photos of their family with his “mama.”
“I loved Mama more than any other person in my life and anybody who's close to me knows this to be true,” he said.
“She was amazing at making people feel better because she was no stranger to pain herself. She knew there was light at the end of that tunnel--and if you didn't have the will to pick yourself up, she would drag you to the end of that tunnel (even on one working knee) because she would want you to see the sunshine waiting for you on the other side.
“Mama was resilient and independent. Warm yet fierce. She could express her love without muttering one word, yet she never missed out on the opportunity to say 'I love you apo…'”
He continued, “Mama, I'd do anything for one more home-cooked meal and a hug. But I know you can't wait to provide a feast for your parents and siblings in Heaven. I bet they missed you while you were with us.
“Now, we'll be the ones missing you until we're together again. You will never be forgotten. I love you, Mama.”
On Monday, April 19, Geneva Cruz announced the death of her mother via a social media post. Marilyn Cruz contracted COVID-19 on April 11, 2021.
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