Soledad Ydoate, age 97 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died peacefully on Saturday, December 21, 2019, at Independence Manor, under the caring watch of Hunterdon Hospice.

Born on September 10, 1922 in Guasca, Colombia, daughter of the late Domingo Ospina and Edelmira Vargas de Ospina, she emigrated to the United States in 1964, first settling in Perth Amboy, NJ, before moving to Iselin, NJ, where she would spend the majority of her life. She would later move to Louisville, KY for a period to be closer to family and then back to New Jersey and settling in Raritan Township in 2013.

A homemaker, Soledad was truly a people person. She had the ability to relate to anyone, and enjoyed talking with people and getting to know them. She also possessed an uncanny ability to make everyone feel special, important and worthwhile.

A longtime and faithful catholic, she was a communicant of St. Cecelia’s Church, Iselin, NJ for many years. Her faith in God led her to have strong morals and to live her life by simply being kind to all people.

Soledad was a reader who enjoyed staying current with news and events, and who also loved bargain shopping. She developed an affinity for walking as she got older, and spent much time walking and appreciating natures beauty. She also was a world traveler; along with her late husband Alfonso, the couple enjoyed seeing the world and meeting new people.

Loving her family with a heart that only a Grandmother knows, she enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and their families and friends, usually tricking them into playing a board game or cards which she would inevitably win.

Santa Teresa de Jesus once wrote, “Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you, all things are passing away: God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Whoever has God lacks nothing. God alone suffices.” Soledad knew the meaning of these words and had faith that when she closed her eyes she would awaken in the place God has prepared for each of us. She lived each day to the fullest, appreciated God’s beauty in everything, and inspired all those she met, to do the same. She will be missed, but will live on in the hearts and in the actions of all who have come to be loved by her beautiful heart.

In addition to her parents, siblings, and beloved husband, Alfonso who died in 1995, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Alicia, in 1999.

Surviving are her three sons and daughters-in-law, Fernando and Diane Ydoate, Edward and Dawn Ydoate, and Charles and Nancy Ydoate; a brother-in-law, Alberto Ydoate; her grandchildren, David, Tina, Jennifer and her husband, Daniel, Alex, Stephanie, Michael, Kristen, and Emily; her great grandson, Noah Ziegler; several extended family around the world; and many friends.

Soledad will lie in repose on Thursday, December 26, 2019 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ 08822.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev. Kenneth Brighenti will take place on Friday, December 27, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Magdalen Church, 105 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ. Everyone is kindly requested to meet directly at the church on Friday beginning at 10:15 a.m. Wright & Ford Family Care Team Ambassadors will assist you upon arrival at church.

Interment will follow in the family plot at St. Gertrude’s Cemetery, 53 Inman Avenue, Colonia, NJ 07067.

A reception following the burial will be held at Al Fresco’s, 100 Reaville Avenue, Flemington, NJ 08822, beginning at 2:00 p.m. If you are unable to go to the cemetery, please feel free to join the family to continue the celebration of Soledad’s life.

Please visit Soledad’s permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a memorial candle, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of her life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to the American Cancer Society in Soledad’s honor. Donations may be made online by clicking HERE or via mail to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. The family thanks you in advance for your thoughtfulness.

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