Luz María Pérez Centeno was born in Hatillo, Puerto Rico, on July 12, 1925. She was the eldest of five siblings born to Ramón Pérez and Juanita Centeno. Due to her mother's illness, she was sent to New York at the age of 16 to live with her uncle and his wife. There, she finished her high school education.

It was there that she met José Hernández (Pepe), the handsome brother of her uncle's wife. Knowing her determination, we are certain that once she set her sights on him, he stood no chance; his fate was sealed!

They got married, and when she had just turned 19, their only child, Janie, was born, who became the joy of their lives.

Eight years later, they moved back to Puerto Rico, where she attended night school to complete a secretarial course.

For a few years, she worked as a government secretary and later for a private engineering firm, where she became a very cherished, loyal, and super-efficient secretary for many years. She was an unstoppable force, wherever she was.

10 years later, when Pepe felt the call for ministry and entered the University of Puerto Rico, she financially supported the household while both Pepe and Janie were working on their bachelor's degrees, and they finally graduated together in 1966.

After that, Janie got married, and Pepe continued on to Seminary for a Master of Divinity. Lucy kept working and helping Pepe with his schoolwork and his part-time pastoral assignments when he worked as a full-time pastor in several churches around the island. She became his indispensable right hand, using all her skills and passion for the work of God, with the same commitment as Pepe. They were a great team.

Pepe was the love of her life. After a terrible accident that left him bedridden for several long years, she devoted her life completely to taking care of him with amazing love and care until he died.

In 1981, she moved to Casselberry with Janie and her family, where she immediately became a leader in the first Disciples of Christ group that later became "Primera Iglesia Hispana Discipulos de Cristo en Orlando" in Chickasaw. From that church, a daughter church in Casselberry emerged, where Lucy again worked full force as a leader and supporter. She sang in the choir until she couldn't anymore because of health issues. She continued to be a faithful supporter financially and with her presence until the very end when God allowed her to rest, free from sickness or pain, and from that rest, into His presence.

Finally, in the arms of the Lord she loved and served, she leaves behind her daughter Janie, her four grandchildren, Jane, Maribel, Arnaldo, and Michelle, and ten Great-Grandchildren: Olivia, Karina, Alex, Gianni, Alina, Sabrina, Adriana, Dante, Christina, and Brandon.

Today we thank God for letting us enjoy her presence, and we celebrate her long, healthy, fruitful, happy, and faithful life. And we say to her, "We love you, Mama, and we will meet again!"

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