Wella.

My father's mother was born in 1925 in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico to Jacinto Ponce Villanueva and Casilda Medina.

Her name was Emma.

She was a small woman with bright eyes and interesting hands, both of which she passed on to me.

She had a knock-out smile.

She was a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a seamstress, a crocheter, a cook, a jewelry-maker, a gardener, a strong-willed woman.

From Aguadilla, to NYC, to Ybor City, to Ocoee, she touched many hearts with her sweetness and light.

My brother and I called her "Wella," short for "abuela."

She passed away Friday night with my dad, his wife, my brother, and myself at her side.

We take comfort in knowing she's in a much better place, and we will remember her always.