Candida Lugardo

December 11, 1941 - March 10, 2022

Mami, Mama or Mamawela as many called her, age 80 from Wilmington, Delaware, was called home to our Lord, on March 10, 2022. She is at rest and walking alongside her parents and siblings, and keeping a watchful eye over her family because that is what she always did. Candida Lugardo was born December 11, 1941, in Hatillo, Puerto Rico, to Ramon Alicea and Generosa Roman, who preceded her in death, as well as her sister, Rosa Santiago and brother, Efrain Alicea. Her interest and hobbies included taking care of all of her family, doing crossword and word find puzzles, dancing, bingo, poker, cooking, old shows and going to Delaware Park. Mami loved to cook three meals a day and made sure that everyone who came by had a warm meal in their stomach. She enjoyed going to family functions, especially parties, where she could dance and was proud of the fact that she could dance longer than some of the younger generations. Candida worked at Silverbrook Child Care, Markatos Services and Arrow Smith Cleaning Services. Candida touched many people and will be truly missed by her family and many friends. Her love for family and friends endeared her to those who knew and loved her. She taught her family the value of hard work and dedication to family. Candida was the kindest, sweetest, most selfless woman you could ever meet. She had a big heart and helped anyone in need if she could. She took great pleasure in being a mother of five and an abuela to her 15 grandchildren and 15 great- grandchildren. Her smile was infectious, and her quick wit drew people to her, as did her uncanny ability to look on the bright side of life. She always talked about her parents and siblings with so much love and affection and would recount stories to her children about her younger days as a child and teenager. The family loved hearing her recount the story of how she and dad got together on their beautiful love journey. Candida is survived by her loving husband, Juan of 64 years. She will also be dearly missed by her children, Maritza (Jose), Blanca (Jose), Ana, Juan Jr. and Gloria (Miguel); her grandchildren, Maira, Roberto (Alex), Sonia (Ramon), Marcos, Wendy, Landi, Pedro, Lissette (Jeff), Jose, Juan (Brittany), Pito, Solei, Jessica, Cristian and Calea; great-grandchildren, Aliyah, Brianna, Blanca, Giovanni, Juan-Juan, Robert III, Ramon Jr, Jayden, Kaliana, Ariam, Lalita, Jadiel, Jafetmael, Caleb and Benito. Aside from her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren she is also survived by her siblings Guillermina, Maria (David), Margo, Luis F. (Aida), Juan (Gladys), Elsa, Luis A. (Janet) and Ana (Carlos). Candida spent her recent years in company of her husband, children and great grandchildren doing all of the things that she loved to do.