Hilda "Iris" Mendez Acosta Passed away of natural Causes at the age of 82 in Wesley Chapel Florida on January 16, 2024.

Life

She was born on February 13, 1941 in Santurce, Puertco Rico.Iris is the second child of Francisco Mendez Sr, and Victoria Ayala Mendez, Iriss siblings in order of birth are Angelo Luis Mendez, Juana "Jenny" Mendez, and Fransico Mendez Jr.

Iris completed the 10th grade and left school to help care for her father while her mother worked. At the age of 19 she began her own family and Married Rafael Felix Acosta in Brookly NY on May 29, 1960 and again on May 26,1989 .Iris was a fulltime homemaker and a seamstress, She lived in She spent most of her life in NY, until 2003 and in 2004 she moved to Tampa Florida until 2022 when she moved to Wesley Chapel, Fl. Iris was a resilient woman, a role model for family values, and was a dedicated wife & mother. She loved to make doll houses for her daughters, granddaughters and nieces, to sew and create home dcor. She also loved telling stories about her

love for Harleys she said riding in the Rain was her favorite, because it made freckles on her face. She is survived by her husband Ralph F.Acosta Jr, Orlando Fl, Her Children Ralph Acosta 3rd and Rose Rella Acosta NY, Albert Acosta of Orlando, Fl. Elaine I. Jimenez and Her husband Edgardo of Wesley Chapel, Evelyn Colon, of Tampa, Fl and John Colon 3rd and his wife Wanda Colon of Zephyrhills, Fl. Her Grandchildren Ralph Acosta 4th, NY, Valerie Colon, NYC, Joseph Luis Garca and his wife Donna Fl, Genesis Acosta, VA, Angelica Cardona Fl. and husband Omar, FL Michael A, Acosta and his wife Judith, NY, Emily Iris Barboza and her husband Carlos, Fl. John Mattew and Alison Colon Fl. Jeffrey Acosta Nelson Rella NY and Ciandra Laboy. Great grandchildren. Aalina H., Mason H.& Chloe G, and Pailsee Shay B. Her siblings Angelo Mendez, Francisco, and Alice Mendez. her nieces and nephews Chito and Judy Mendez, Brandon, Keith and CJ Mendez,Tanya and Billie Lanthripp, Jeanette, and Robert Repaci, Deborah, and Jay Lopez, Frank and Debbie Mendez, AJ Ayala, Angel Belen, Zayra Belen and David Mendez.

Her cousins, Jose, Margret, Angel, Noemi, and Albert Ayala

Pre-deceased

Francisco "Paco" and Juana Nadia sol Mndez, "Jenney"

MOMMY

The love of a Mother is unmatched by anything in the universe she gives you everything you need to survive in this world, she will teach you to have strength and humility she make you demand respect make you demand respect she will broaden your visions to see the things that life throw your way she will be the constant in your life the safety net the teacher the judge and the jury and she will break you down to build you up stronger most of all she will give you unconditional unwavering love thank you for making me the man I was yesterday the man I am today and the man I will be tomorrow thank you for being the voice in my head every day and thank you for being all that you taught me to be my love for you is and will forever remain deep in my heart . I love you mom John Colon 3rd "Johnny boy"

Hodges Family Funeral Home (Zephyrhills)

St Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church