Juanita Herrera, 85, of Matawan died Saturday, September 18th surrounded by her loving and supportive family.

To Juanita, family was everything; all her love and pride went into caring for them. She cooked Puerto Rican cuisine unparalleled by anyone else, and relished in the joy it brought to her family. Referred to as the “Neighborhood Mama”, her generosity and selflessness permeated her community as she provided countless mouthwatering dishes to all her visitors. She is lovingly described by her family as the “Master and Commander” of her household. She provided a home that was spotless in appearance at all times, but was also a sanctuary of love and acceptance.

Juanita worked as a seamstress for many years, and used her talents to design and create clothing for her children that hold fold memories and remain sentimental and close to their hearts. Along with providing for her very large family, she also volunteered numerous hours at New York Foundling, which is one of the largest child welfare agencies in the state of NY, where she cooked and cared for an incalculable amount of children in need. Her positive and loving influence will be remember by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Juanita is survived by her three daughters: Mary Carrion and her husband Jorge Ortiz of FL, Juana Solis and her husband Miguel of MA, and Carmen Carrion of PA; her three sons: Felix Carrion and his wife Deyanira of FL, Brandon and Bryant Guzman of NJ; her eleven grandchildren: Michelle, Orlando, Michael, Yajaida, Robert, Felix, Jorge, Christina, Veronica, Jermaine, and Alyssa; and two predeceased grandchildren Alex and Issac. Her love, culture and traditions shall live on through them.

Visitation will be Tuesday, September 21st from 4-8pm at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 S. Holmdel Road, Holmdel. A funeral service will be offered Wednesday, September 22nd at 10am at Matawan United Methodist Church, 478 Atlantic Ave, Matawan. Burial will follow at George Washington Memorial Park, 234 Paramus Road, Paramus. To leave a message of condolence or share a favorite memory please visit Juanita’s page of tribute at www.holmdelfuneralhome.com.