Obituary of Angelina Medina

Today, we come together to celebrate the extraordinary life of Angelina Medina — a proud Puerto Rican warrior, born in October 1948 in San Sebastián, Puerto Rico, to Teodora Ramos and Regino Medina. One of six siblings — Rosendo, Fela, Kiko, Tary, Carmello, and Chelly — Angelina came from humble beginnings, but even as a child, she radiated fierce strength, unwavering courage, and a heart full of love. She was a protector by nature. One story, in particular, became one of her favorites to retell — not because it was dramatic, but because it so perfectly captured her essence. When her younger sister Tary was bullied in elementary school — pushed into the mud and laughed at by classmates — Angelina didn’t hesitate. She stood up, walked over to the bully, tapped her on the shoulder, and punched her squarely. That punch got her suspended, but she didn’t care. When the bully’s mother came to complain, Angelina simply held up her sister’s muddy clothes and said, “Look at what your daughter did.” That was my mom. Fearless. Righteous. A defender of her own. She always dreamed of more for herself and her family — and she made it happen. She married young and moved to New York, where she gave birth to her first son, Angel Rivera. That first chapter of marriage was filled with challenges, but Angelina, true to her nature, never allowed hardship to define her. She picked herself up, pursued her education, and attended college — excelling in her studies and showing the world that she was capable of far more than anyone had ever expected. Later, she met Rafael Peña — five years her junior — and they built a life together rooted in love, laughter, and family. Together, they had two children: Angel Omar Peña and Elizabeth Ann Peña, who most of you know as Lisa. Eventually, the family made their way to South Florida — first settling in a small apartment in Hialeah, then in a cozy home in Miami Lakes. Their marriage eventually came to an end, but Angelina’s role as a mother only grew stronger. When our father left, she took on the full weight of raising three children alone. She worked tirelessly — 9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week — yet still managed to be fully present in our lives. We never saw the evictions. We never felt the struggle. What we saw was love. What we felt was joy. What we experienced was the magic of a mother who made something out of nothing — and made it feel like everything. She taught us how to cook. How to iron and fold our clothes. How to stand tall. How to survive — and more importantly, how to live with pride and love. She didn’t just raise children — she raised warriors. Later in life, when our older brother Angel faced serious health challenges, she stepped back into the role of caretaker — his advocate, his nurse, his constant. Even after suffering a stroke herself, she remained strong and graceful, still giving, still loving, still showing up. When she could no longer be the one taking care of others, the roles reversed. Diana, Angel’s wife, stepped in to care for him, and Omar and Lisa cared for her — the woman who had spent her entire life giving everything she had to everyone else. In those quiet moments, life had come full circle. And through all of it, one thing remained: love. Angelina lived to see her children become parents. She was a proud and fiery grandmother — strong, outspoken, and full of wisdom. We were able to take her back to Puerto Rico, to reconnect with her roots, her family, her story. And we had the privilege of celebrating her 75th birthday — a beautiful milestone, filled with laughter and joy. We didn’t know it would be her last. But it was perfect. And she was surrounded by love. Angelina Medina was a sister. A mother. A grandmother. A protector. A fighter. A woman who spoke her truth, who stood tall, and who gave more than she ever had to give. Her life wasn't defined by what she endured — but by how she carried it. With dignity. With pride. With fire. With love. Her legacy is etched into every one of us who were lucky enough to be loved by her — in every lesson, every memory, every strength she passed down. Rest easy now, Mom. You were — and always will be — our angel. In Repose Saturday, April 19, 2025 from 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Please keep the Medina family in your thoughts and prayers. The Joseph A. Scarano Pines Memorial Chapel is Honored to assist the Medina family with the arrangements.