Dr. Luzmarina Montesinos-Lalli, age 78, of Monmouth Junction, NJ, passed away on September 5, 2026, from complications from a long battle with critical illness precipitated originally by chronic kidney disease.

She was born on March 24, 1948, in Quito, Ecuador, to Arturo Montesinos Malo and Luz Marina Fernández de Córdoba Montesinos. She is survived by Louis M. Lalli, her devoted husband for over 50 years, her daughter and son-in-law, Luzmarina Lalli and Joseph Spinks, her son and daughter-in-law, Louis and Jennifer Lalli and their children, her three beautiful granddaughters, Caroline, Emily, and Madelyn, her younger brother and his wife, Arturo and Ilene Montesinos, and several nieces, nephews, and many cousins (primer y segundo grado), including one of her cousins, an angel on earth, who donated his kidney to her in 2016, extending her quality of life for approximately nine blessed years.

She was predeceased by her parents, two older brothers, Edward and James, and countless beloved aunts (tías), uncles (tíos), and cousins (primos). She deeply loved all her family and friends, each holding a unique place in her heart as her capacity for love was infinite. She was a devoted daughter, sister, close friend and confidante to so many - but being a wife and mother was her ultimate accomplishment and legacy, above all the others she achieved over the course of her life.

Luzmarina immigrated to the United States in 1952 at the age of four. Her father was an editor and translator for the United Nations and moved his wife and three children at the time (her younger brother came seven years later) to New York City to advance his career, but more importantly to find the best medical care for Luzmarina's congenital heart condition, which in Ecuador, at the time, was deemed life-threatening but later proved to be innocuous. Her family moved to Westchester, NY, in 1957, where she spent the rest of her childhood and early adult life. She attended Roosevelt High School in Yonkers, NY, and later went on to City College of New York, where she graduated in 1970, Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude, with a degree in Spanish literature. She was a native Spanish and English speaker and she also studied and learned French. With this mastery of languages, she was accepted to be a guide at the United Nations where she worked part-time from 1973 to 1975 while she was pursuing two master's degrees.

Though very career-driven, she had a deep longing to start a family, and given that she was a devout Catholic, she prayed to St. Anthony (aka "the matchmaker saint") for a good husband. On Friday, June 13, 1975, she was set up on a blind date, when she met her best friend and the love of her life, her future husband, Louis. Later, after marriage, Luzmarina discovered that June 13 was St. Anthony's feast day! Just a short eight months later, on Saturday, February 14, 1976, they got married, and yes, that would be St. Valentine's Day! During this time, given her passion for literature and the inspiration from her father, who was a Spanish novelist and short story writer, and her older brother James, who was a Spanish professor, she pursued a Ph.D. in Spanish literature from City University of New York in 1986, completing a 500-page dissertation on Tomás Carrasquilla, a prominent Colombian writer. She later became a professor at the College of Mount Saint Vincent and Manhattan College in New York City, where she spent over 15 years teaching Spanish literature.

Luzmarina was not only brilliant, as evidenced by her academic achievements and professional accomplishments, but she also had a true desire to teach and share her knowledge with her students. She was dedicated to seeing each one of her students reach their potential. But one of her proudest accomplishments was her book, Tides/Marea, a compilation of short stories written in both Spanish and English, which she wrote during her sabbatical year.

She had an infectious zest for life, and one of her favorite pastimes was dancing - anytime, anywhere. She once was crowned "Best All-Around Dancer" at a Briarcliff community festival - she loved every genre, but of course, in honor of her culture, Latin music would be her primary "go-to". A true lover of the arts, Luzmarina was a lifelong consumer of books, art, and music. She was an avid reader, amazing experimental cook, and social gathering organizer, including neighborhood block parties, birthday luncheons, large family Christmas parties, potluck dinners with friends, etc. - you name the social event category and she would organize it, which meant there was likely some dancing involved!

As a deeply religious and spiritual person, she had a very keen focus on charity work. She sponsored numerous poverty-stricken children, primarily located in Ecuador, and volunteered for and donated to numerous charities over the years. She was also very active in the Catholic Church, participating in Bible and book studies, teaching catechism, and serving as lector at Sunday Masses across her local parishes, along with participating in many other faith-based initiatives.

However, her number one accomplishment in life was her dedication and devotion to her friends and family. She cultivated best friendships that lasted generations. Not only was she a best friend to her husband and two children, but over the years, she accumulated so many "sisters," spanning towns, cities, states, and countries. She cherished those friendships, was a phenomenal listener, provided gentle guidance and wisdom to those who needed it, and never missed the opportunity to call, leave a voicemail, or send a text - she was incredibly thoughtful. Her qualities abounded with positivity - she will most be remembered for her generosity, affection, kindness, selflessness, patience, determination in the face of adversity, and all the love she gave to others. She was a true role model and had a soul that touched even strangers. In the last few years of her physical life, she was a warrior. She courageously battled endless complications, whereby any one of them would have taken her life. But, no, she persevered and she did it for her loved ones, not for herself. One of the greatest gifts she gave her family was the gift of faith. And that faith has guided and inspired them in immeasurable ways and will ultimately allow them to rejoice one day together again.

The first visitation will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at M.J. Murphy Funeral Home, 616 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction, New Jersey.

A second visitation will be held on Friday, September 11, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Waterbury & Kelly Funeral Home of Briarcliff Manor, 1300 Pleasantville Road, Briarcliff Manor, New York.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at St. Theresa's Church, 1394 Pleasantville Road, Briarcliff Manor, New York.

Entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York.

Memorial contributions may be made to:

Unbound Child Sponsorship or Catholic Relief Services