Memorial Exhibition

In 2020, a pandemic swept across the globe, impacting countless lives—including ours. On April 20th, our family and the Jacob Riis community mourned the loss of our beloved matriarch, Ms. Virginia Pizarro, who passed away at the age of 83.

She took immense pride in her family, often marveling at the growing number of relatives with a humorous "Did I do that?" reminiscent of Urkel, a phrase we'll dearly miss. As a mother of seven, grandmother of eleven, and great-grandmother of six, she played a pivotal role in our lives, always there for each one of us. Her nurturing extended beyond her own family, embracing her neighbor's children and caring for them as her own in the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

In September 1960, she first became a part of the Jacob Riis community when she moved into 11-15 FDR Drive. She later relocated her expanding family to 12-25 FDR Drive on May 2, 1968, where she remained until her passing.

Affectionately known as "Mama" to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she was a beacon of creativity and resilience, residing in this neighborhood for six decades, generously giving her time and energy to those around her. Her departure leaves a void in our hearts, but her legacy of love, friendship, and community lives on through the cherished memories and stories we share.

Due to pandemic restrictions, traditional funerals were not possible. In response, I undertook a two-year endeavor to curate a memorial exhibition commemorating our mother's life and her journey from Puerto Rico to NYC. The exhibition also delved into the history of Puerto Rico and NYC's Loisaida (L.E.S.) from 1936 to 2020, serving as a backdrop to narrate her story. This immersive approach allowed viewers to grasp the era in which she lived, experiencing the news and historical events that unfolded during her lifetime.

I sifted through countless photos, searching for those that would best narrate her journey. Each image brought back memories and carried its own narrative, but together, they breathed life into her story. It was impossible not to see that her family was the center of her universe.

On July 9th, 2022, after more than two years of her passing, family and friends finally came together to honor and celebrate the life of our beloved mother, Virginia Pizarro. It was a day filled with heartfelt remembrances, shared stories, and an outpouring of love for her.

Miss you Ma.

Minerva Diaz

I am one of Virginia’s seven children. She referred to me as her artist daughter, and I wish she could have been here to witness the exhibition if only to see the expression on her face. Unlike the countless others who lost a loved one to this pandemic, I was one of the fortunate ones who was allowed to visit the hospital, hold her hand, and say goodbye; for that, I am grateful.

This loss led me on a journey of discovery, as I came across pictures and documents among her belongings I had never seen before. These findings stirred my curiosity and led to multiple calls to living elders, who helped fill in some gaps. Soon I found myself regretting not having those same conversations with my mother. Those regrets inspired the shaping of this exhibition.

I hope it encourages others to have similar conversations with their elders and discover their heritage before their elders become ancestors.

Minerva Diaz

Daughter, Artist and Curator