Ana Maria Melendez

WORCESTER - Ana Maria Melendez, 87, peacefully passed away on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Ana was born On August 19, 1932 in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico. She was the daughter of Ocasio Melendez and Altagracia Sanchez.

Ana started working in the sugar and pineapple fields in addition to caring for her siblings when they lost their beloved mother at a very young age. Once married and having her own children, Ana moved to Salem, Massachusetts where she worked at a shoe factory and Parker Brothers among several other jobs for many years. She then returned to Puerto Rico where she was an upholsterer and elementary school cook in the town of Palenque where she grew up. Known for her amazing cooking skills, Ana taught her sisters-in-law how to cook and how to speak Spanish, even though she didn't speak English. Ana's strong maternal sense, entrepreneurship, resourcefulness, fierce spirit, fun and loving attitude extended beyond her family to include all friends.

Ana was predeceased by husbands, Juan Correa and Jonny DeJesus. She leaves behind her children: Altagracia Correa, Juan Felipe Correa, Angel Correa, Aida Correa, Maria Correa, and Kathia R. Cruz, whom she raised as her own. Her step-children; Juan Jr. Correa, Domingo Correa, Carmen Correa, Maria Virgen Correa; her three brothers, Israel Melendez, Juan Melendez and Domingo Melendez, and her four sisters: Carmen Delia Melendez, Margo (Melendez) Betancourt, Genoveva Melendez and Norma Melendez. Ana was blessed with 23 grandchildren; José Rodriguez, Ana I. Candelaria, Lissette Candelaria, Rosita Correa, Danny Correa, Sammy Correa, Alex Correa, Vanessa Correa, Tatiana Correa, Gabriel Correa, William Correa, Angel Jr. Correa, Maico Correa, Yajaira Correa, Nataly Correa, Angela Correa, Amaryllis Correa, Luis Correa, Tommy Barbosa, Wilson Barbosa, Esbelyn Correa, Jazmin Correa and Esmeralda Colon; 20 step-grandchildren, Santos Gonzalez, Francisco Gonzalez, Maribel Gonzalez, Mariela Gonzalez, Omayra Ganzalez, Jesús Gonzalez, Uriana Correa, Vanessa Correa, Rafael Correa, José Correa, Lisa Correa-Rodriguez, Michael Correa, Jessica Correa, Sabrina Correa, RJ Tirado, Marisol Correa, Gabriel Correa, Sara Correa, and Domingo Correa. In addition, there are 100 Great-grandchildren, 34 Great-Great-grandchildren, 39 Great-Great-Great-grandchildren and 39 nieces & nephews!!! She was also predeceased by her son, Ramon Correa; her grandson, Ruben and Felix Correa, her step-grandson, Jose Gonzalez; her sisters: Esther Melendez and Elba Figueroa; her brothers, Juan Melendez and Carlos Melendez.

Relatives and friends are invited to join Ana's family to honor and remember her life at visiting hours on Wednesday, February 26th from 5-8 p.m. at the Callahan, Fay & Caswell Life Celebration Home, 61 Myrtle Street, Worcester. Her funeral will be held on Thursday, February 27th from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 11 a.m. at St. Bernard Church of Our Lady of Providence Parish, 236 Lincoln Street, Worcester. Burial will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester.