Doris Eloy Cardona

Doris Eloy Cardona, 87, of Fort Lee, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on May 29, 2025 at Riverview Hospital in Gadsden, Alabama. Doris was born on July 5, 1937 in the beautiful coastal town of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Doris was the daughter of Alejandrina Cardona Morales, better known as Aleja. She moved to the Bronx, New York as a young child and graduated from Grace Dodge Technical High School located in the Bronx. She attended Bergen Community College located in Paramus, New Jersey. Her works experience consisted of an Executive Assistant for the Univision News Department and subsequently worked in the Engineering Department of Roosevelt Hospital as an Executive Assistant, both located in the City of New York. Doris’ early years were spent in the company of her beloved cousins, Carmen, Julie and Nery, also known as Baby. Baby was the same age as Doris and shared many similar interests. The four cousins enjoyed the early and formative years of the Latin Music craze that later was known as salsa. They frequented the world renown Palladium Ballroom and experienced many memorable moments. Doris married Max Moreno and procreated a beautiful young daughter, Denise. This little gift from heaven inherited the artistic talents that her mother, Doris possessed, and also the love of life and nature and had the ability to enrapture whoever had the good fortune to come into contact with them. Doris loved music and became a prolific dancer, had a very active social life and she had a very large circle of friends. Because of the love that oozed out of every pore of her existence, she was a social butterfly. Everyone wanted to be in her presence. She loved photography and would carry her camera everywhere, capturing the beauty that she was able to envision when no one else would notice the same surroundings. She also would take inordinate items and turn them into works of art. She once found a crushed soda can on the street and saw that as a beautiful future Christmas tree ornament that she worked on with her artistic talents and subsequently sent this work of art to her cousin in order for him to place it on his Christmas tree. She loved to design and create different items for her loved ones and would stop by unique shops and think of someone and she would subsequently purchase it and send it at a great cost to herself without giving it a second thought because she always put others happiness over her own. She received great pleasure knowing that she put a smile on someone’s face. Her artistic abilities garnered her recognition as a professional artist. Doris moved to Fort Lee, New Jersey in 1972 and she resided there until her passing. Although she lived alone, she spent much time speaking with friends and family and her conversations were full of historical details of life’s experiences. She provided much valuable information to a cousin who was writing a book based on the exploits of another relative. She had the ability to recall distinctive detail and provided invaluable information that made the book a reality. Relatives would call to ask her about a particular person, place or incident and Doris would provide so much detail that she could bring the information to life. When her grandson Eric was born, it was the most beautiful moment in her life. She became a grandmother and he became the light of her life. Eric had difficult health issues and her life was dedicated to making sure that this beautiful young child would survive the constant crises that ensued. Thankfully that young boy grew up to be the most incredible grandson that is totally dedicated to his beloved Grandma. Doris’ daughter, Denise was also born with major health issues, including cardiac issues during a period of time when the medical field related to cardiac conditions were not as sophisticated as they are today. Doris, was a warrior in the manner in which she ensured the best possible attention for her daughter. What made this effort so difficult was the fact that during all of this process, Doris was a single mom, all alone, fighting for her daughter’s life. Doris passed away at Riverview Hospital in Gadsden, Alabama surround by her loved ones, Denise, Eric and Christina and the family wishes to acknowledge for its kindness and care the employees of Aveanna Hospice of Gadsden, Alabama. Doris is survived by her daughter, Denise Moreno Just, grandson Eric Paul Just, Christina Livingston, Eric’s girlfriend, her daughter Suzette Rodriguez Waller, granddaughter Fiona Waller, sisters Saidy and Santy Arce. Also close family members are cousins, Nery (Baby), Carmen Roman, Julie Gonzalez, Boabdil (Bo) Vazquetelles, who was like a brother, Irma Vazquetelles, also was like a sister, Darren, Adria, Kiana, Ava, Janai, Dominic Vazquetelles, Zelene, Joey, Kenya and Kash, Dante, Cyrus De Jesus and Darlene Vazquetelles, who loved Doris beyond words as well as Fabian Alicastro, Darlene’s husband and their daughter Luna who came to meet her beloved Titi in Alabama just a short time ago and there are many other friends and family members. A memorial service will be announced in the very near future.

Doris Eloy Cardona

July 5, 1937 - May 29, 2025