Elizangela "Eliz" Cruz Obituary (1995 - 2022)

Elizangela Cruz, age 26, of Greene Twp., passed peacefully into the arms of the angels on Friday, March 11, 2022, at St. Clair Hospital in Pittsburgh, following a brief illness. Eliz was born in Erie on May 3, 1995, daughter of Juan "Johnny" and Maria (Lugo) Cruz. Eliz was a student at the Barber National Institute since the age of six months and enjoyed participating in many of the school programs throughout her life. In addition, she also loved ice skating with the Gliding Stars of Erie and playing soccer with the TOPSoccer program at Penn State Behrend. Eliz possessed a beautiful, innocent, and kind soul. She was loving to everyone that crossed her path; always present with a smile and ready to give a hug. She loved animals, especially butterflies and rabbits; affectionately being known as the "bunny whisperer" by her family. Eliz also loved to watch movies, listen to music, sing at the top of her lungs, and play with her nieces and nephews. A lover of the outdoors, she would do just about anything that would get her out of the house to pursue her independent streak and free spirit. We pray that she goes in peace from the cares of this world to be free with the loved ones that have gone on before to watch over us, keep us safe, and that she is happy knowing that she is and will always be loved and remembered as the happy, funny Eliz - as "Papa's Baby". In addition to her beloved parents, Eliz is survived by her brother, Juan "JB" Cruz; her sister, Anais Hernandez (Wilkin); one niece, Siana; two nephews, Sebastian and Saias; grandfathers, Juan "Papa" Cruz and Avelino Lugo; dear aunts, Bruny Cruz "Titi Bruny" (Heriberto Ruiz) and Carmen Miraszek "Titi Fabi" (Bryan); dear uncle, Frank Cruz "Tio Franky" as well as several loving aunts, uncles, and cousins. Eliz was preceded in death by her grandmother, Carmen Maria Lugo Cancel. Family and friends are warmly invited to call at the Dusckas-Taylor Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 5151 Buffalo Rd. (at Hannon Rd. in Harborcreek Twp.), on Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Service to be conducted there at 1:00 p.m. by Deacon Miguel Alvarez. Following the service, Eliz will be laid to rest at Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Barber National Institute, www.barberinstitute.org.