Luz Leija

WILLIAMSPORT, Md. — Luz “Lucy” Nereida Leija, 94, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, July 14, 2024. Formerly a longtime resident of Salem, Ohio, Luz resided in her final years with her daughter Abigail in Maryland. 

Born Oct. 10, 1929, in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico, Luz was the daughter of the late Rafael and Nicolasa Plaza Santiago.

 In her early years, Luz farmed alongside her family harvesting coffee beans, plantains, bananas and all sorts of tropical crops. Rising early, Luz would complete her farming chores before walking the 5 miles to attend school. This routine continued until she graduated from high school. In her mid-20s, her brother Ray encouraged her to move to Youngstown. Here, she met and married Luis Leija and relocated to Salem to raise a family. 

Her journey through life resulted in many adventures, but her compelling purpose was that all should come to know the love of Jesus Christ. Luz dedicated her life to the service of her Lord as she came to know Him in her early 30s. After obtaining her pastoral degree in her 40s, Luz spent many years working to carry the message to underserved areas in the world. As an ordained minister, Luz established a house church on the East Side of Youngstown. Knowing the gospel needed funds to progress throughout the world, Luz was employed at Worthington Industries (formerly Warren Molded Plastics) in Salem for over 35 years. In that time she funded a house church, planted a church, built and established a Christian school in Nicaragua and solely sponsored one Jesus Film Project team. Serving as an evangelist in her later years, she spent many hours on the mission field primarily in Latin nations, where she could share the gospel in her native tongue. Wherever she journeyed she wanted to know one thing, “Do you know Jesus?” Consequently, in her final months suffering from dementia and strokes, “Mama Lu” (as she came to be known) never lost her zeal to ask that question. She impacted the lives of those loving hands who assisted her in her final months by communicating the love of Christ with her smile and the phrase, “God Bless You. You are beautiful. May I pray for you?” And though the prayer may not have always been understood by the hearer, it was understood by God and hearts would be lifted and impacted with the love of Christ. 

In addition to her evangelistic opportunities, Luz was a wife, mother, abuela, avid gardener and business entrepreneur. 

She is survived by her children, Josh Maldonado (Ernestine) of Holly Springs, Mississippi, Buffy (Kim) Stensrud of Missouri, Victor (Lynn) Leija of Lisbon and Abigail (Jonathan) Fierer of Williamsport, Maryland; and four grandchildren, Eli, Jacob, Daniel and Elena Fierer; as well as beloved nieces and nephews. 

Luz’s husband of 42 years, Luis Leija, passed in June 1999. Luz was preceded in death by her husband; parents; and siblings, Irma Quiles, Radames Santiago, Anibal Santiago and Luis Santiago. 

A celebration of life will be held in her honor at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 20, 2024, at the Grandview Cemetery Chapel. Her interment will be immediately following. 

Professional arrangements are being held by the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Salem Chapel.