Julia Pabon

Julia was born Julia Febo Casillas on Monday, February, 16, 1925 in the municipality of Loiza, Puerto Rico to her parents Adolfo Febo Agosto and Juana Casillas Alvarez. At the time she was, she had four older brothers who were all very protective of her: Ernesto, Aristedes, Presbitero and Juan. Several years later, two additional siblings followed: her older sister, Felicita, and her youngest brother, Jacinto. Her family lived in the various towns of Canóvanas. Julia was a sheltered and shy young lady. She worked in Puerto Rico as a live-in nanny for a wealthy family and also as a nurse's aide in a hospital. Since her parents were separated, she longed to get a better paying job to help her mother financially. And, seeking a better life, Julia moved from Puerto Rico in 1948 and joined her sister here in The United States, settling in New York City. She went to work and helped support her mother by sending monies each time she got paid. Julia and her sister joined a Spanish Pentecostal church on 25th Street and 8th Avenue that was pastored by Reverend Louis Ernesto Hernandez with his wife, Elisa, and their children. As Julia learned more and more under the spiritually anointed preachings of Pastor Hernandez, she was fervently seeking God's will and desired to receive the gift of the Spirit that is promised to us. One night, she fell asleep while praying, and she woke up speaking in tongues. God had heard her heart's greatest desire and fulfilled it. Shortly thereafter, Julia met Jose R. Pabon who, following in his brother's footsteps, had also moved from Puerto Rico to New York City in 1947. After a year of courtship, Jose asked Julia to marry him. She refused because she wanted to continue working to send financial support to her mother. Jose made a promise to Julia that he would take on that financial responsibility. She then agreed to marry him and they were married on Saturday, November 24, 1951 (Jose kept his promise and sent financial support to his mother-in-law until the day that she died). Julia was a stay-at-home wife. Over the course of ten years, their marriage produced five children: Nardy, Onelia, Joe Amos, Elsie, George, and Estella. She loved and served her family with unconditional love. She and her husband made many, many sacrifices for their family. Julia diligently worked shoulder to shoulder with Jose in his role as superintendent and she unselfishly tackled many "manly" chores that most women wouldn't do. On Thursday, October 20, 2016, with her loving husband and children surrounding her, Julia rendered her spirit peacefully to Heaven. In addition to her 5 children, Julia is also survived by her 5 grandchildren: Veronica Negron-Almache, Jonathan Amos Pabon, Jennifer Amanda Pabon-Sweed, Vanessa Negron-Carela and Valerie Negron-Rosario and 10 great grandchildren: Julia Amanda Vizcaino, Lizette Angelise Carela, Mia Jade Vizcaino Alexander Manuel Almache, Marissa Isabell Pabon, Leyla Yvelisse Carela, Jonathan Lorenzo Pabon, Emily Alexa Almache, Anthony Howard Sweed, Brooke Emma ALmache and anotehr great grandchild is due in March 2017. Julia will be greatly missed and will be remembered as a fervent woman of God and prayer warrior with a generous, giving heart and gentle spirit.