Maria de Lourdes Marrero

Maria de Lourdes Marrero Garcia Pizarro, age 79, entered into eternal life on June 5th, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Born on March 5, 1947, in Comerío, Puerto Rico, Maria was a woman of deep faith, unwavering devotion to her family, and remarkable strength and grace. Her life was a testament to love, sacrifice, perseverance, and trust in God's providence.
As a young girl, Maria was raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico, where she spent her childhood surrounded by family and the rich culture of her beloved island. In 1959, at the age of twelve, she moved with her family to the Bronx, New York, beginning a new chapter that would shape the course of her life. She graduated from James Monroe High School and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Secretarial Sciences from New York University.
Maria possessed a remarkable intellect, professionalism, and work ethic. She began a distinguished career as Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Philip Morris on Park Avenue in New York City. During those years, she met the love of her life, Felix Marrero Carlo III, whom she married and with whom she shared fifty-five years of faithful and loving marriage. Together they welcomed their first child, Ima Margarita Padgett Marrero.
In 1972, Maria and Felix returned to Puerto Rico to build their future and raise their growing family. There, Maria continued her successful professional career as Executive Secretary to the President of Kodak Puerto Rico and later served as Executive Secretary to the President of Molinos de Puerto Rico. While balancing an accomplished career, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to her family, eventually welcoming four more children: Michael Douglas Marrero, Felix Juan Marrero, Jose Carlos Marrero, and Cecilia Maria Marrero.
Throughout her life, Maria's greatest calling was that of wife, mother, grandmother, and faithful servant of God. Alongside Felix, she experienced a profound renewal of her Catholic faith and developed a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary through the Schoenstatt Movement. Guided by prayer, discernment, and a desire to follow God's will, Maria and Felix made the courageous decision to move their family to Jonesboro, Georgia, in 1983. In December 1985, they settled in Griffin, Georgia, where they established roots and spent the remainder of their fifty-five years together, building a home filled with faith, love, hospitality, and cherished memories.
Maria's greatest joy was her family. She leaves behind her devoted husband, Felix Marrero Carlo III; her children, Ima Margarita Padgett Marrero (Justin "Ryan" Padgett), Michael Douglas Marrero, Felix Juan Marrero, Jose Carlos Marrero, and Cecilia Maria Marrero; her beloved grandchildren, Miriam Isabel Chell Padgett, Justin "Luke" Padgett, Jacob Ryan Padgett, Jeshua Coy Padgett, Cecilia "Grace" Padgett, Ami Liana Marrero, Mia Lourdes Marrero, Brandon Michael Marrero, Lana Arabella Marrero, Jose Carlos Marrero, and Isaiah Charles Marrero; and her treasured great-grandson, David Kristofferson Chell.
She was preceded in death by two precious grandchildren, Brenda Hope Padgett and Blanca Faith Padgett, whose memories remained forever in her heart.
Maria was also preceded in death by her beloved parents, Juan Luis Garcia Carrillo and Beatriz Pizarro Bernard, as well as her brothers Juan Luis Garcia Pizarro and Miguel Angel Garcia Melendez.
She is survived by her loving siblings, Altagracia Garcia Pizarro de Rivera, Gladys Margarita "Margie" Garcia Melendez, Juan "Cuco" Garcia Melendez, and Jesus Garcia Melendez, together with her cherished nieces and nephews: Ricardo Rivera Garcia, Robert Rivera Garcia, Yazmín Rivera Garcia, Juan Luis Garcia Pinto, Marida Beatriz "Betty" Garcia Rivera, and Anaís Garcia Rivera, along with many extended family members, friends, and fellow members of the Schoenstatt family who were blessed by her friendship and witness.
Maria will be remembered for her gentle spirit, quiet strength, steadfast faith, and unconditional love. She devoted her life to serving others, encouraging her family, and placing her trust in God and the Blessed Mother. Her wisdom, kindness, and unwavering devotion created a legacy that will continue to live on in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and all who knew her.
Though her family and friends mourns her earthly departure, they rejoice in the promise of the Resurrection and find comfort in knowing that she has been welcomed into the loving embrace of her Heavenly Father and reunited with those who have gone before her.
Her life was a blessing, her memory a treasure, and her love a gift that will endure for generations.
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." — Luke 1:46-47
“Nos compro le pia, benedicat Virgo Maria”- Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement
Maria will be forever loved, deeply missed, and joyfully remembered.