Encarnación Colón passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 22, 2019, in Leesburg, VA, at the age of 100 (and 7 months), having lived a long and fruitful life.

Encarnación Figueroa Zayas was born on March 25, 1919, in Naranjito, Puerto Rico, the third oldest child of 11 children.  Her parents were Evangelista Figueroa and Obdulia Zayas.  As a young woman, she worked as a seamstress at a clothing factory, and was very proud of the fact that she mastered and honed her skills to the point that she could create a garment even without a pattern.  She married Alfonso Colón  Rivera on January 12, 1946, and began her adventure as wife and mother.

By 1955, Alfonso, a career army soldier, transferred to Fort Eustis.  With three children in tow, Encarnación followed.  Her husband was often required to travel on extended assignment away from family.  Those days were hard for a young mother who did not know the language and had no close family support.  However, she persevered and came to love living in Virginia, where two more children were born.  In 1962, her husband was posted to France, and the now family of seven spent three years in Europe.  They returned to the U.S. in 1965 to live in Woodbridge, VA, where they raised their children to adulthood.  She moved to Newport News, VA, after the death of her husband; and ultimately, lived with her daughter in Leesburg, VA, for the past 22 years.

Encarnación was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt who expressed her love not only verbally, but by making sure that all were fed.  She loved to cook and was known for her excellent Puerto Rican cuisine.  She made sure her children and grandchildren were taught about their Catholic faith and received the sacraments.  She led by example, going to Mass every Sunday, and having a special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  She and her husband worked very hard so that their children could have opportunities for a better life.  She loved carnations, gardening and all family gatherings.  She never missed a Texas State Society Father's Day Picnic where she especially enjoyed the food and BINGO.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, and her husband, Alfonso Colón  Rivera.  She is survived by her children Manuel A. Colón  (Lindsay), Maria C. Gonzalez (Enrique), Antonio Colón  (Amelia), Nectar Cantu (Steve), and Gilberto Colón ; along with 9  grandchildren Andria Cantu (Max), Christine G. Slater (Michael), Anthony Colón  (Ciara), Stephanie Cantu Schneider (Adam), Phillip Colón  (Rachel), Teresa Cantu Ober (Gabriel),  Lisa Smith (Michael), Peter Colón , and Alicia G. Pevahouse (Matthew); 7 great-grandchildren Elayna Whitley, Ethan Gonzalez, Adam Slater; Arya, Arlo and Etta Colón ; and Lilah Schneider.

Visitation will be held for family and friends at the Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg, 201 Edwards Ferry Road NE, Leesburg, VA 20176, on Sunday, November 3, 2019, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.

A Catholic funeral Mass will be held at St. John the Apostle Church, 101 Oakcrest Manor Drive NE, Leesburg, VA 20176, on Monday,  November 4, 2019, at 11:00 am.  The internment will follow at Quantico Cemetery, 18424 Joplin Road, Triangle, VA 22172, at 2:00 pm.