Mildred Zapata Lugo, 70, of Smyrna, DE, passed away Saturday March 20, 2021 at Kent General Hospital, Dover.

She was born September 13, 1950 in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, the daughter of Atanasia Lugo Rubio and the late Sergio Felipe Zapata.

She grew up in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico but moved to United States as a young adult.  During her life she lived in New York, Massachusetts and Delaware.  She dedicated her life to taking care of her children, showing her love thru her cooking, sharing authentic Puerto Rican meals with her family and friends. Her favorite past time was going for long drives communing and exploring the countryside. She found beauty in nature and surrounded herself with beautiful arrays of plants and flowers.

She is survived by her children and spouses, William Ortiz and Diane Ortiz, Lourdes R Williams and Preston Williams, Juan Rios Jr., and Damaris Dortch and Breon Dortch; her grandchildren, Melanie Williams, Yazmin Ortiz, Jessie Hause, Fabian Dortch, Madaniel Dortch, Lathadeus Dortch, Lisa Marie Ortiz, Lyann Ortiz, three great grandchildren; her mother, Atanasia Lugo Rubio; her sister, Edith Zapata Lugo; and her longtime partner and father of children, Juan Rios Sr.

She was predeceased by her father Sergio Felipe Zapata and siblings Rosa Zapata, Jorge Zapata Lugo, Victor Zapata Lugo

Memorial services will be held 3:00 PM Saturday March 27, 2021 at Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home, 123 W. Commerce St., Smyrna, with a one-hour visitation beginning at 2:00 PM. Interment will be held in Puerto Rico. Please follow Covid-19 guidelines for masks and distancing.

In lieu of flowers, please plant a flower or tree in Mildred's memory, to carry on her passion and love for nature.

To sign the online guestbook, please click the tab marked "View and Sign Guestbook".

Arrangements are by Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Smyrna.