With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Margarita L. Correal, 92, who left us peacefully on December 19, 2024.  She was born in Bogota, Colombia, on July 14, 1932, the daughter of Jesus Maria Correal and Maria Ines Ferreira, she was the seventh of 11 children.

On February 25, 1956 Margarita married the love of her life, Carlos Velez.  They celebrated 60 blessed years of marriage. Margarita is survived by two daughters, Ines (Pedro) and Margarita, her foster son Fray Antonio Martinez, her three grandchildren Ana Maria (Nicholas), Gabriella (Ali) and Sister Rosa Ines, CFR, and her three great grandchildren, Gabriel Dominic, Teresa Rose and Mary Lily. She is also survived by her two sisters Clara Ines and Cristina and her brother Mauricio, many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers and five sisters.

Margarita dedicated her life to her family and the Catholic Church. Her passion was to serve the poor and needy. Her strong ties with the Catholic Church were not only the fruit of a deep faith: they were also the result of the blessing of being born in a Colombian family deeply involved for generations with Catholic religious. Margarita's great aunt, Margarita Ferreira, was the first Colombian woman in the Dominican order. The Archbishop of Bogota, Monsignor Emilio de Brigar Ortiz was Margarita's mother's cousin; She had four cousins who were priests, and her granddaughter, Sister Rosa Ines Montano, CFR,  is a Franciscan Sister of the Renewal. In July 4, 1990, Margarita was consecrated to the Third Order of Saint Francis, by Monsignor Ignacio Antonio Velazco Garcia, in Apure, Venezuela.

Margarita studied at the Dominican Catholic School "La Presentación" in Bogota. She graduated from High School and studied Education at the "Universidad Pedagogica de Colombia".

She served as a volunteer for thirty-six years with the school "La Presentacion" in Cali, Colombia.  She directed the First Communion yearly event for around 100 impoverished children. The Dominican Sisters prepared the children while Margarita and a group of friends handmade their attire and prepared a big celebration for the children and their families.  In addition, she directed life-skill workshops and with the help of other volunteers, taught destitute women, who were heads of household. They received training at no cost in: tailoring, embroidery, culinary arts, first aid, textile painting, and other skills that enabled them to work and provide food for their children. Along with this, she annually prepared a big Christmas Party for about 60 homeless children at her house, providing gifts, food and praying the traditional Novena to Baby Jesus. Her beloved husband Carlos supported all her charity efforts unconditionally.

In 1982 Margarita's foster son, Fry Antonio, initiated his mission as a Franciscan in Colombia and was working along with Margarita. In 1990, the Franciscan Community "Franciscanos Misioneros de Jesus" was founded with the mission to serve indigenous territories of Venezuela and Colombia. Margarita's home was always filled with priests, nuns, friars, and volunteers. She traveled with Fry Antonio through the Venezuelan and Colombian plains, fulfilling their mission.

She also volunteered for over ten years with the Missionaries of Charity at Mother Theresa of Calcutta's nursing home, in Cali, Colombia.

In September, 2000 Margarita immigrated to the US and started her work at St. Anthony of Padua Church, in Passaic, NJ.  She taught reading and writing to illiterate immigrant adults, and volunteered with the Religious Education Program at the same church.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 PM on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church, 1502 E. Wallen Rd. with calling from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM in the church.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Margarita's name to the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal (www.franciscansisterscfr.com/donate) Online condolences may be left at www.divinemercyfuneralhome.com.