Ivette Del Carmen Marrero Matos

Ivette Del Carmen Marrero Matos, 59, died peacefully at Duke Hospital on Saturday, June 30th, 2018 after years of bravely surviving and fighting against cancer.?? Born July 6th, 1958 in Coamo, Puerto Rico, she lived her early years in Puerto Rico, where she graduated from the Uneersity of Puerto Rico and beganeer professional life as a medical technologist. In 1983, she became a mother for the first time, and then for a second time in 1989.?? In 1993, she moved to Durham and began another chapter ineer adult life as an employee for UNC Hospitals, where she would gracefully spend her next 25 years. In April 2002, she married Jos?? Antonio Nava Le??n, with whom she spent the most meaningful years of her life.?? Together, she dedicated herself to provide, support and help her family to follow their dreams of becoming professionals.?? As a result, her eldest daughter, Michele Marie, became a lawyer, while her second daughter, Stephanie Marie, a doctor of medicine, and her stepdaughter, Alexa Gabriela, a computer engineer.?? Lastly, she also helped her stepson, Jonathan Iv??n, graduate high school and start his college years. She was passionee about music, dancing salsa, cultivating roses, the beach, and being the most supporting friend, sister, and person anyone could have met.?? A hard working woman, dedicated to helping and caring for all and anyone who would let her, Ivette left a lasting impression in all whom had the pleasure to meet her. Ivette will be remembered for her charm, energy, passion, care for all others, laughter, and hospitality.?? We are grateful she fulfilled her long-life dream of becoming an amazing mother, wife, and grandmother, and wise adviser; having spent her last year closely teaching her granddaughter those first lessons of life that will forever remain present and shape the woman that she will grow up to be. Surviving are her daughters, Michele M. Silva Marrero of Puerto Rico and Stephanie M. Principe Marrero of Durham, her granddaughter, Mikaela I. Baerga Silva of Puerto Rico, and her husband, Jose Antonio Nava Leon; as well as her mother, Neida P. Matos Borges of Durham, her brother, Miguel A. Marrero Matos of Pittsburgh, PA, and her sisters, Maria Milagros Marrero Matos of Sunrise, FL, and Ada Marrero Matos of Green Bay, WI.?? Ivette will also be forever remembered by neerous nieces, nephews, aneextended family and dear friends.?? She was preceded ineeath by her father, Miguel Angel Marrero. Friends may visit 6:00-8:00PM Thursday, July 5th, at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service.?? A Catholic mass will be celebrated at 3:00PM Friday, July 6th, at the Immaculate Conception Church, 810 W. Chapel Hill St., Durham, NC.?? Her funeral and burial will be in Bayam??n, Puerto Rico. Flowers may be sent to Hall Wynne Funeral Service in Durham, NC.?? Gifts or donations in Ivette???s memory may be made to Pretty In Pink Foundation, Sociedad Americana Contra el C??ncer de Puerto Rico (American Society Against Cancer of Puerto Rico), and Fundaci??n Cabecitas Rapadas (Shaved Heads Foundation ??? charity for children, adolescents, and some adults with cancer in Puerto Rico).?? Flowers for burial service may be sent, please contact the family.