With profound love and gratitude for a life beautifully lived, we announce the peaceful passing of Marta Cano, who departed this world at the age of 87 after a short but courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Caicedo, Colombia, Marta was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose family was the very center of her heart. In the late 1960s, she and her beloved husband, Luis Humberto, made the courageous decision to leave their homeland of Colombia and begin a new chapter in the United States. With five young children by their side, they started their journey in Bridgeport, CT, living a life defined by resilience and hope for a brighter future, but most of all, a life of faith in God, Divino Niño and the Virgin Mary.

In their new home, they experienced the sorrow of the loss of their son Diego, but also the joy of welcoming two more children, building a life grounded in faith, hard work, perseverance, and unwavering dedication to family. Together, they created not just a household, but a legacy.

Marta was the heart of every family gathering. In addition to Wednesday night rice and beans, Sunday breakfast at Grandma's is a tradition even great-grandkids talk about. A feast of Colombian goodies like arepas, empanadas or buñuelos. Her natilla, a traditional Colombian Christmas dessert, is famous in town, as well as the hearty soups she made for every grandchild, or even mini-arepas for her granddaughters' dolls.

She found her greatest joy in watching her family grow, celebrating milestones, and simply being surrounded by those she cherished most. Marta taught her children and grandchildren the values of faith, sacrifice, kindness, and the importance of staying close to one another.

She loved traveling and taking trips with her husband and children, especially to Colombia, where she would bring food, clothing and toys to less fortunate children in Medellín and neighboring towns.

She is survived by her loving husband of 68 years Luis Humberto, her 6 children and 13 grandchildren:  Claudia Arbelaez and son Brian; Walter and children Mario, Sergio and Tiffany; Astrid Reyes, husband Jay (deceased) and sons Andrés and Daniel; Adriana Merkert, husband Jim and children Delaina and Wesley; Harvey, wife Catalina and children Martín and Raquel; and Catherine Rivera, husband Jorge Luis and children Brianna, Aidan and Tristan; as well as her 11 great-grandchildren, siblings and extended family members whose lives were deeply enriched by her presence.

Though she will be profoundly missed, her legacy lives on in the family she nurtured, the traditions she passed down, and the love she gave so freely. Her life stands as a testament to faith, courage, devotion, and the enduring power of family.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, February 16, from 9:30 am to 11:30 am at Dennis & D'Arcy - Abriola & Kelemen Funeral Home at 2611 Main St. in Stratford, CT 06615, followed by a noon mass at St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, 25 Sherman St, Bridgeport, CT 06608.

May she rest in eternal peace, reunited with the loved ones who went before her, and may her memory forever be a blessing.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the New England Association for Colombian Children (NEACOL) at https://neacol.org/donate-now/ and please earmark the donation to the project FUNDAPRE, which prevents and addresses malnutrition for children in need, especially those who are deaf and blind.