Dania Guzman, age 58 years, of Lopatcong Township, NJ, returned home to the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, peacefully on Wednesday, January 25, 2023.

Born on October 30, 1964 in Veguitas, Cuba, daughter of Paula Reyes Arias and the late Luis Feren Guzman, Dania immigrated to the United States in 1987, first landing in Miami, FL, before moving to Flemington, NJ, and then settling in Lopatcong, NJ.

With a heart dedicated to the service of her Lord, Dania was devoted to her family and the community. Coming to the United States at the age of 23 after her father’s death, Dania sought a better life and wanted to live the “American Dream.” Starting at the bottom, she worked her way up the proverbial ladder, eventually helping to bring all of her siblings to the United States to start their own lives here.

With a Master’s Degree in Art History from the University of Havana, Dania passed the Civil Service Exam quickly and started what would become a very successful career as a Clerk with the United States Postal Service. Her intelligence and tenacity would see her rise through the ranks quickly, serving in several managerial roles before being promoted to Office Supervisor in 2015.

A longtime member of First Baptist Church in Phillipsburg, Dania was a Sunday School Teacher and lived to spread the message of God’s love. She participated in several mission trips over the years to places as close as West Virginia and as far away as Peru, where her language skills provided an incredible asset to allow all to know God’s love and hope for them.

Above all else, family was integral to Dania’s persona, and she felt her world was complete when she became a mother to her son, James, in 1999. The pair shared a bond like no other, and James credits his mom for helping him to see God’s beautiful world and to always do his part to do good however he was able. She was a “Mom” through and through, from chaperoning school field trips and being there for every event he would go through as a young man, to helping him to see how important it was to love all people.

In addition to her religious and community involvement, Dania also taught ESL in both Hunterdon and Warren counties. Her passion for all forms of art, especially drawing and sketching, never faded. She also had a passion for teaching family and friends about the Cuban culture and keeping its heritage and beauty alive.

Though the last several years have been tough for her from a medical perspective, Dania never forgot that she was loved and would be welcomed to the table of all God’s children in heaven when her time was called. There is no doubt in the hearts of anyone who met her, that Dania lived by these words from 2 Timothy 4:7-8 throughout her life until the very end, as she closed her eyes on Earth and opened them to the loving embrace of Jesus: ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Rest in the sweetest peace you truly deserve, Dania. We will see you again.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by her son and his partner, James Paul Metsopulos and Lexis Brownstein; her siblings and their spouses, Luis Guzman and his wife, Mayra Matos, Feren Guzman and his wife, Liuba Gonzalez, and Adelaida Guzman and her husband, Joaquin Calles; several extended family members; and many dear friends.

Family and friends are invited to gather together to celebrate Dania’s life on Thursday, February 09, 2023, from 5:00-7:00 p.m., at Doyle-Devlin Funeral Home, 695 Corliss Avenue, Phillipsburg, NJ  08865.

Life Celebration Services officiated by Pastor Tim Pyne will follow the gathering at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Interment was private.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ. Please call Wright & Ford at 908-782-3311 with any questions.

You are encouraged to visit Dania’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of her life.

Memorial contributions in her honor may be made to the First Baptist Church, via mail to 810 Red School Lane, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865, or online by clicking HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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