Dolores "Lola" Vargas moved to New York City in the late 1940's with her six children: Dolores (Loly), Luis (Quique), Radames, Esther (Nilda), Luz (Lucy) and Willie, from Adjuntas, Puerto Rico. She settled, along with her husband Andres Vargas and their children, in the Longwood section of the Bronx.
Andres, who had came to New York a year prior to her arrival, found an honest paying job and a modest apartment at 828 Trinity Avenue. To supplement the family's income she worked for several years as a seamstress in a factory located on East 156 Street between Saint Anns and Eagle Avenues.
In the late 1950s to early 1960s, the Vargas family moved to an apartment on Fulton Ave where they had permission by the landlord to use the backyard to build a garden. Dolores' brother Jimmy and other family members would come by and help maintain the family garden.
In the late 1960s, Dolores, along with her family, moved to a private house (which still stands today) on East 173 Street between Webster and Park Avenues. In December of 1969, Dolores lost her husband, Andres, whom she loved very dearly. With the lost of Andres, the family pulled together and bonded even closer. The following year, the family helped her move to another apartment on Bathgate Avenue near Claremont Parkway. She lived there with her two nephews Willie and George until her untimely death in March of 1981.
Dolores', who was called, "Mama," by her children and grandchildren, taught her family the importance of togetherness. She was the center of their universe; a shoulder to cry on; and the one to go to for advise.
Though she is gone, we all still miss her very dearly and I know the whole VARGAS/SANCHEZ share the same sentiment that no one can EVER compare to Mama.
May you rest in heavenly peace.
Andres, who had came to New York a year prior to her arrival, found an honest paying job and a modest apartment at 828 Trinity Avenue. To supplement the family's income she worked for several years as a seamstress in a factory located on East 156 Street between Saint Anns and Eagle Avenues.
In the late 1950s to early 1960s, the Vargas family moved to an apartment on Fulton Ave where they had permission by the landlord to use the backyard to build a garden. Dolores' brother Jimmy and other family members would come by and help maintain the family garden.
In the late 1960s, Dolores, along with her family, moved to a private house (which still stands today) on East 173 Street between Webster and Park Avenues. In December of 1969, Dolores lost her husband, Andres, whom she loved very dearly. With the lost of Andres, the family pulled together and bonded even closer. The following year, the family helped her move to another apartment on Bathgate Avenue near Claremont Parkway. She lived there with her two nephews Willie and George until her untimely death in March of 1981.
Dolores', who was called, "Mama," by her children and grandchildren, taught her family the importance of togetherness. She was the center of their universe; a shoulder to cry on; and the one to go to for advise.
Though she is gone, we all still miss her very dearly and I know the whole VARGAS/SANCHEZ share the same sentiment that no one can EVER compare to Mama.
May you rest in heavenly peace.
Dolores "Lola" Vargas moved to New York City in the late 1940's with her six children: Dolores (Loly), Luis (Quique), Radames, Esther (Nilda), Luz (Lucy) and Willie, from Adjuntas, Puerto Rico. She settled, along with her husband Andres Vargas and their children, in the Longwood section of the Bronx.
Andres, who had came to New York a year prior to her arrival, found an honest paying job and a modest apartment at 828 Trinity Avenue. To supplement the family's income she worked for several years as a seamstress in a factory located on East 156 Street between Saint Anns and Eagle Avenues.
In the late 1950s to early 1960s, the Vargas family moved to an apartment on Fulton Ave where they had permission by the landlord to use the backyard to build a garden. Dolores' brother Jimmy and other family members would come by and help maintain the family garden.
In the late 1960s, Dolores, along with her family, moved to a private house (which still stands today) on East 173 Street between Webster and Park Avenues. In December of 1969, Dolores lost her husband, Andres, whom she loved very dearly. With the lost of Andres, the family pulled together and bonded even closer. The following year, the family helped her move to another apartment on Bathgate Avenue near Claremont Parkway. She lived there with her two nephews Willie and George until her untimely death in March of 1981.
Dolores', who was called, "Mama," by her children and grandchildren, taught her family the importance of togetherness. She was the center of their universe; a shoulder to cry on; and the one to go to for advise.
Though she is gone, we all still miss her very dearly and I know the whole VARGAS/SANCHEZ share the same sentiment that no one can EVER compare to Mama.
May you rest in heavenly peace.
Andres, who had came to New York a year prior to her arrival, found an honest paying job and a modest apartment at 828 Trinity Avenue. To supplement the family's income she worked for several years as a seamstress in a factory located on East 156 Street between Saint Anns and Eagle Avenues.
In the late 1950s to early 1960s, the Vargas family moved to an apartment on Fulton Ave where they had permission by the landlord to use the backyard to build a garden. Dolores' brother Jimmy and other family members would come by and help maintain the family garden.
In the late 1960s, Dolores, along with her family, moved to a private house (which still stands today) on East 173 Street between Webster and Park Avenues. In December of 1969, Dolores lost her husband, Andres, whom she loved very dearly. With the lost of Andres, the family pulled together and bonded even closer. The following year, the family helped her move to another apartment on Bathgate Avenue near Claremont Parkway. She lived there with her two nephews Willie and George until her untimely death in March of 1981.
Dolores', who was called, "Mama," by her children and grandchildren, taught her family the importance of togetherness. She was the center of their universe; a shoulder to cry on; and the one to go to for advise.
Though she is gone, we all still miss her very dearly and I know the whole VARGAS/SANCHEZ share the same sentiment that no one can EVER compare to Mama.
May you rest in heavenly peace.
