Photo courtesy of the Clergy Council 49th Precinct
Alexandria Arriaga, daughter of the 49th Precinct Clergy Council chaplain and Democratic State Committee woman and district leader, Sandra Pabon, announced the death of her mother in a social media post on Friday, June 2, writing, “This is Alex. It’s with great sadness to announce to you all that my mother, Sandra Pabon, has passed away.”
She added, “Thank you all for your prayers and I will let you all know about her funeral arrangements. Thank you. She loved you all!”
Photo courtesy of the Clergy Council 49th Precinct
Pabon was an active member of the community and was frequently seen at various local meetings and community toy drives, as reported, often accompanied by former assemblywoman for District 80, now State Sen. Nathalia Fernandez (S.D. 34). The 80th assembly district broadly covers some or all of the neighborhoods of Norwood, Bedford Park, Olinville, Allerton, Pelham Gardens, Pelham Parkway, Little Yemen, Morris Park and Van Nest.
News of her death was also shared by the Clergy Council of the 49th Precinct, who wrote on social media, “Clergy Council 49th Precinct mourns the passing of our member Chaplain Sandra Pabon.” The Council later added, “She was dedicated to Christ, the community and cops. Our prayers and condolences are with her family.”
Fernandez also paid tribute to Pabon on Twitter writing on June 3, with an accompanying heart emoji, “RIP to my dear friend and beloved district leader of the #Greatest80th, Sandra Pabon. You were a fiery force of faith, devotion, joy and love. I’m going to miss you so much.”
The senator also wrote in a separate post, “I love you so much Sandra Pabon. Your loss is so heartbreaking for me and everyone who knew you. You were a fiery force of faith, devotion, joy and love. I am so grateful our friendship and the work we did together. May your memory and legacy of service live on through all of us. I’m going to miss you so much. Rest in Eternal Peace.” She also shared a selection of photos of Pabon seemingly in great spirits in various happy settings, capturing her trademark exuberance for life.
Photo courtesy of State Sen. Nathalia Fernandez
The Bronx Democratic Party also paid their respects to Pabon on Twitter, “With heavy hearts, we announce the sudden loss of Sandra Pabon, our dear community & district leader. She was an inspiration, always striving to make a positive impact. Stay tuned for details on memorial services and ways to honor her remarkable legacy.”
At Pabon’s viewing service on Friday, June 9, wreaths from representatives of many different levels of government were seen. One we were told was from the Pentagon. Pabon was interred on June 10 at St. Raymond Cemetery in The Bronx.
Neighbors and friends had already begun posting messages of condolences on social media, accompanied by various heart and other emojis, upon hearing the news. AJ Alicia Rodriguez wrote, “So very sorry for your loss. She was an amazing person. Wow! I just saw her on Thursday. RIP, my buddy. Forever u will be in my heart. I’m in shock.”
Photo courtesy of Bronx Democrats
Leslie Frohberg wrote, “Condolences to the family. Sandra was a powerful woman. May she rest in peace,” while Socrates A Caba wrote, “My sincerest condolences. A true community advocate!”
Meanwhile, Christy Perez wrote, “My condolences. Love you, Sandra. Forever in [my] heart, my love. Descanza [Rest].” Ticia DeNise wrote, “So sorry to hear this. She will be missed in DDIPA. We loved her dearly,” and Alexander Gray wrote, “My condolences to the family.”
Another resident Alicia Rodriguez, later wrote, “Sandra Pabon, you had [helped] me in so many ways. You always [prayed] for me and you loved my beautiful serenity. You are one of a kind. I will miss your laughter, your caring heart. When I saw u on Thursday, you gave me the biggest hug because you always gave me advice, and u said ‘I love u.’ We were together at the doctors, same one. U gained your wings. I will always have u in my heart.”
Addressing Pabon’s family, she wrote, “So very [sorry] for your loss. Your mom was the best person in the world. I will miss her and her beautiful smile, gone [too] soon. We need to come together and be kind to one another. Life is so very short. [You’re] here one minute and [you’re] gone. She’s our angel. Love u Sandra.”
Photo by Síle Moloney
Elizabeth Quaranta, executive director of Friends of Mosholu Parkland, later wrote, “Many of you know Sandra Pabon and we are heartbroken. Another friend of the group has moved on.” She shared an obituary and funeral details for those who knew Pabon and wish to pay their respects. These are outlined further below also.
Quaranta added, “Our last conversation together was in Sandra’s apartment and it was about beautifying the tree pits on her block and around the community. Sandra, I know your soul is listening… We will respect that request – tree pits will be done.” According to her obituary, Pabon, daughter of Neftali Pabon and the late Judith Fortyz, passed away quietly at the age of 61 in her longtime residence in The Bronx.
“She leaves behind her great love, William (Billy) Martinez, one fearless daughter, Alexandria, and her son-in-law, Michael, three beautiful grandchildren, Micheal (MJ), age 9, Amelia, age 7, and Sophia, age 3. She’s survived by her sorrow-filled sisters, Diana and Sonia, and grief-stricken twin brothers, Neftali and Elvis. She will forever live on in the hearts of all her cousins, nieces and nephews.
Photo courtesy of Farenga Brothers Funeral Home / The Family of Sandra Pabon
Visitation was held on Friday, June 9, 2023 from 2:00 – 9:00 P.M. in Farenga Bros. Funeral Home, 920 Allerton Avenue, Bronx, NY 10469. Interment was on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at St. Raymond Cemetery, Bronx, NY.”
According to Farenga Brothers Inc. Funeral Home, family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake via an online Memory & Photo Sharing Event. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. View Tribute Book.
Former District 13 City Councilman Mark Gjonaj also shared a photo with Pabon on social media and wrote, “Saddened by the untimely passing of a friend, community activist and District Leader Sandra Pabon. May she rest in eternal peace!”
Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly referenced Alex as Pabon’s son. We apologize for this error.
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Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.
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Sandra Pabon you had help me in so many ways you always pray 🙏👏for me and you loved my beautiful 👸 serenity you are one of a kind I will miss your laughter your caring heart ❤💕💖 when I saw u on Thursday you gave me the biggest hug ʕっ•ᴥ•ʔっ because you always gave me advice and u said I love u ❤we where together at the doctors 👨⚕ same one u gained your wings I will always have u in my heart ❤ so very so for your loss your mom was the best person in the world I will miss her and her beautiful smile gone to soon we need to come together and be kind to one another life is so very short your here one minute and your gone she’s our angel ଘ(੭*ˊᵕˋ)੭* ̀ˋ love ❤ u Sandra
Dear Alex and family ,
I am so sorry to hear about your dear mothers sudden passing .May you always carry her memory in your heart . May your memories provide you with strength at this very unimaginable time . The tributes to your mother are beautiful .I know she must have been very proud of you and her son in law and grandchildren . My prayers are with you as you go through this unexpected transition in your lives .May your mother rest in peace and power . Seems to me that many folk were guided and inspired by her . May her legacy continue onward in your family
My cousin Sandra ,may you RIP , You had been a wonderful caring person , and always helped others when they needed you the most ,always full of energy & joy fullness 💐🙏❤️Always in our hearts ❤️🙏you’ll never be forgotten 😞in better place with our passing families 😞😞😞😞😘❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
My cousin Sandra ,may you RIP , You had been a wonderful caring person , and always helped others when they needed you the most ,always full of energy & joy fullness 💐🙏❤️Always in our hearts ❤️🙏you’ll never be forgotten 😞in better place with our passing families 😞😞😞😞😘❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
My cousin Sandra , May she RIP 😞🙏💐My cousin was a good hearted person ,always caring for people when they needed it the most ❤️She was full of energy & life so many wonderful memories growing up in the Bronx, She will always lift up spirits in anyone in need ,she was a real trooper 🙏❤️ Always in our hearts ❤️ and will never be forgotten😞❤️, In a better place with the rest of passing families 🙏❤️❤️💐💐Love you cuz🙏❤️💐