Aracelis Matos de Perez

Aracelis (Celia) Matos de Pérez of Ocala, FL, age 82, went to be with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 19, 2026. She was born on May 10, 1943, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, daughter of Felix and Carmen (Arroyo) Matos. In 1958, she head to the big apple, New York City. She initially resided in the Bronx where in 1963, she married, Ruben (Montalvo) Pérez. They later moved to "El Barrio", the upper East side of Manhattan until 2009. They moved back to "La Isla del Encanto", in Bayamon, Puerto Rico until 2015, they eventually settled in Ocala, Florida, in 2015. Celia was known for being a wonderful and dedicated wife, mother, life of the party, and a phenomenal cook. You never left her home hungry or without a to-go bag. When she was not cooking up something delicious in the kitchen, she and Ruben were traveling for their next adventure. Celia is survived by her loving husband, Ruben (Montalvo) Pérez, daughters, Blanca Rios of Bronx, New York and Milka Pérez-White (Jerrod) of Westbrook, ME. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren, Aracelis (Morales) Dasher of Brooklyn, NY (Michelle, Melissa, and Cherish); Yvette Vola (Wilfredo) of Port St. Lucie, FL (Jadyn, Noah, and Jonah); Julia Vegas (Matthew) of Buda, TX (Jackson and Reagan); Barbara Rios of Bronx, NY; Providencia Blanca Martinez of Bronx, New York; Lysa Diggins (Alexander) of Palm Beach, FL (Kennedy and Alexander); Samantha Vola of Port St. Lucie, FL (Reigna); Sammy Villanueva of New York (Luca); Paula Rios Dasher of Brooklyn, NY (Aiden); Jaylen, Steven and Aaron White of Westbrook, ME. Her sister, Lydia Cuni (Pablo) of Bronx, NY and brother, Felix Matos of Puerto Rico. She is preceded in death by her father, Felix Matos, mother, Carmen (Arroyo) Matos, daughters, Paula Rios, Milca Velasquez, son, Sammy Rios and sister, Ivette Matos. Visitation will be held at 2739 SE Maricamp Rd, Ocala, FL on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 3-5pm. Roberts of Ocala Funerals and Cremations will be handling the funeral arrangements. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Salud VIP, Dr. Ivette Colon-Reyes; Vitas Hospice of Ocala, Hospice Nurse, Jessica Valentine and staff; and all the crisis case nurses, LPNs at Human Potential; cousin, Jenny Rosario, neighbor Patricia (Pat) Christie, Pastor Eugenio Garcia and Pastor Juan Ocasio.

Aracelis Matos de Perez

May 10, 1943 - April 19, 2026