Maria Estela De La Cruz

WORCESTER - Maria Estela De La Cruz, age 61, passed away with her family and friends by her side on Friday, February 13th, 2026 at UMASS University Hospital in Worcester, MA.

She was born February 28th, 1964 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, to her mother Ana Luisa De La Cruz. She obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching from The Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD) in 1999, and taught History for high school students just shy of 30 years. Maria lived a simple life full of laughs, conversation, and plain happiness through her friends and loved ones. She enjoyed spending time with family most of all and loved nature. She was the type of woman who was nurturing, giving, and completely selfless. She had this uncanny ability to make people feel welcome and loved.

She leaves behind a husband, Jesus Polanco Perez of Worcester; three sons, Hanlet De La Cruz and his Wife Aileecia of Worcester, MA, Rafael De La Cruz of Worcester, MA, and Isaac Chacon of Dominican Republic. She leaves her only daughter, Merign Jay Polanco De La Cruz of Worcester. She also leaves her greatest joys, her grandchildren Mikah, Aria, and Dariana. She also leaves behind 6 siblings, many cousins, aunts, and uncles.

Family, friends, and others whose lives Maria has touched are invited to the Kelly Cremation and Funeral Care, 154 Lincoln Street, Worcester, MA, from 10am-12pm on Thursday, February 19th, 2026, to reminisce, grieve, and support each other and say our final goodbyes to our Mother. A funeral service will be held at 12pm in the funeral home. Burial will immediately follow in Hope Cemetery, Worcester.

Maria Estela De La Cruz a la edad de 61 años fallecio al lado de familia y amigos el Viernes 13 de febrero del 2026 en UMASS University en Worcester, MA. 

Nacio de su madre Ana Luisa De La Cruz el 28 de febrero de 1964 en Santo Domingo, Republica Dominicana. Obtuvo su licenciatura en educacion en La Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo (UASD) en 1999, enseñandoles a jovenes de secundaria historia por casi 30 años. Maria vivio una vida simple llena de risas, conversaciones, y con una felicidad plena a traves de sus amigos y seres queridos. Disfrutaba pasar el tiempo con su familia y amaba la naturaleza. Era una mujer generosa, desinteresada la cual daba todo por sus hijos. 

Deja atras a su esposo Jesus Polanco Perez en Worcester. Tres hijos, Hanlet De La Cruz y su esposa Aileecia en Worcester, MA. Rafael De La Cruz en Worcester, MA, y a Isaac Chacon en Republica Dominicana. Deja a su unica hija, Merign Jay Polanco De La Cruz en Worcester. Tambien deja atras a su mayor Orgullo, sus nietos, Mikah, Aria y Dariana. Deja a 6 hermanos, primos, tias y tios. 

Familia y amigos y otros que la vida de Maria ha tocado profundamente estan invitados a Kelly Cremation and Funeral Case, Lincoln Street, Worcester, MA, desde 10am hasta 12pm el Jueves 19 de febrero, 2026 para, recordar, sufrir y apoyarnos los unos a los otros y decir nuestro ultimo adios a nuestra madre. Se llevará a cabo un servicio funerario a las 12 p. m. en la funeraria. El entierro seguirá inmediatamente en el Cementerio Hope, Worcester.