Ernestina Medina

Ernestina Medina (nee Zayas), age 90, passed away peacefully December 11, 2020 due to complications from Covid-19. She was born December 16, 1929 in Barranquitas, PR to Marcelina Rosado and Evaristo Nicolas Zayas. She married Ceferino Medina her friend and love on December 24, 1953 in New York City. They relocated to Cleveland, Ohio to begin their life together and raise their family.

Ernestina or “Tina” as many knew her, loved people. She had a knack to make friends with strangers. She enjoyed spending time with family and gathering together to celebrate with music, food, coffee and laughter. The holidays were her favorite, she also enjoyed shopping with her daughters and loved visits from friends and family, never wanting them to leave. She would always say, “Please don’t leave yet, you just got here!” even though you had already been there for hours. She then would tempt you with a cup a coffee or something else that she knew would get you to stay just a little longer.

Ernestina was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to many. She lovingly cared for her 7 children, a loving grandmother to 11 wonderful grandchildren, and “GG” to 9 great grandkids. Her life was a living example of one of her favorite Bible verses, Ephesians 4:32 — “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”

Ernestina is survived by her husband of 67 years Ceferino and children: Alicia Lopez (Abelino)deceased, Sylvia Royle (Mark), Jose (Cheryl), David (Mary Legati), Theresa (Frank Skully), Nilda Gonzalez (Fred), and Tina (Ed Withers); grandchildren: Alana Wourms (Andy), Matthew Royle (Kelly), Alyssa Moosbrugger (Ryan), Danielle Sandusky (Jason), Shawn (Julie Negron), Joey (Ashley), Adrienne Ockuly (Tom Nemetz), Jennifer Ockuly (Rich Houdek), Jessica Phelps (Brandon Rhodes), Joshua Gonzalez and Selena Holley. Step grandchildren Dawn & Danielle; and great grandchildren: Armani, Dominic, Miles, Sylvie, Emery, Elliott, Chase, Enzo and Baby Girl Sandusky. Dearest sister of: Felicita Pagan and the following pre-deceased: Antonio, Isabel, Rodolfo, Maria, Daniel. Survived by many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral Mass, Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 10AM at La Sagrada Familia 7719 Detroit Ave., Cleveland OH 44102 (MASKS ARE MANDATORY). Private interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Family and Friends received, Tuesday, December 15, 2020 from 4 – 8 PM at CORRIGAN CRACIUN FUNERAL HOME 20820 LORAIN ROAD, FAIRVIEW PARK (All CDC Covid protocols will be implemented – MASKS ARE MANDATORY) In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Maryknoll Sisters at: PO Box 317, Maryknoll, NY 10545. To make a gift by phone call 914-941-7575 ext. 5639.