She is preceded in death by her parents, her son, Daniel Cintron, Jr., and her family pets, Nicky, Whitey, Diego, and Muigi. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Daniel Cintron-Santiago; daughter, Illiam Cintron; grandchildren, Omar Leonardo Quimbaya, Dr. Illiana Celia Quimbaya, Jason Cintron, and Jennifer Cintron; great-granddaughter, Jade Xelia Quimbaya-Liu; brother, Jose Cosme; pet chihuahua, Sami Samuel Cintron; great granddogs, Mateo Quimbaya, Dudley Quimbaya, and Madelina Cintron; and other family members and friends.
Celia was a soft-spoken, hardworking, humble, kind, beautiful, and a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother. She was soft and caring, but she could be firm when she needed to be, such as when her grandchildren were acting up. She was a devoted wife to her husband and kept her home tidy and pristine and always open for family and friends, even with the dogs running around her home. She had a fondness for animals. In her last years, her daughter took care of Celia and her husband when they needed her, and she was surrounded by family when she passed.
She had a wonderful sense of humor and was always making jokes and laughing with her family and friends. She loved to cook, crochet, and take care of her garden. She loved her garden so much that she used to talk to her plants to help them to grow. Her cooking was flavorful, distinct, and delicious, and many family members will remember going to her home for a good meal. She loved to decorate her home, too, and she presented her dishes with a meticulous artistic flare.
Before coming to San Antonio, she was in Puerto Rico with her husband and two children. Her husband, a veteran of the Korea War, moved the family to New York, so the children can get a better education. Making sure their children and their grandchildren have a good education was always a priority for Celia and her husband. Once their daughter received her graduate degree and moved to San Antonio, they moved to San Antonio to join her after her divorce. Daniel Jr., Celia's son, stayed with his family in New York. Celia and her husband played critical roles in raising their daughter’s children, and when Daniel Jr. passed away, they did what they could to support Daniel Jr’s children. The loss of Daniel Jr. was hard for both Celia and her husband, but their love for the family only grew stronger.
She will be greatly missed by those who have had the great pleasure of calling her family and a friend.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, February 24, 2020, at 12:00pm at Sunset Funeral Home with visitation beginning at 11:00 AM with interment to follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donation may be made in her name to the Animal Defense League or the Puerto Rico & Caribbean Relief Fund.