Edilia Gaviria, 94, of Bethlehem, passed away on November 26, 2024 at Bethlehem South Nursing Center, Bethlehem. She was the beloved wife of the late Miguel Gaviria, with whom she shared 38 years of marriage before his passing in 2016. Born in Tulua Colombia, she was a daughter of the late Jesus Maria and Betsabe (Osorio Marquez.

As the eldest female in her family, she helped raise her siblings from early on. She also was very involved in the care of her nieces and nephews in Colombia and in the United States, and was godmother to a few of them, including niece, Beatriz. She was always there for her sister Fanny Arias and all of her family especially when they were in need such as care giving when someone was ill.

Edilia was always generous and giving to others even when she had little to give. She was always busy with her creativity, crocheting and dressmaking, designing clothes, and was a seamstress.

She was a very faithful Catholic, attending weekly Mass at Notre Dame of Bethlehem Cathol;ic Church and demonstrating kindness and compassion to others, without expecting anything in return. It made her happy.

She received a Home Economics Diploma in Colombia. She was an elementary teacher, teaching students in writing, religion, history and geography at the Instituto Ignacio de Herrera y Vergara in Cali, Colombia.

She moved to the United States in the 70's and lived in New York and Connecticut. She married Miguel while living in Connecticut, then they moved to California, Pennsylvania and lastly Florida, where he passed away.

While living in California, she worked at a company repairing and touching up ceramic fairies and she also performed the quality control inspections for the ceramics before they shipped out. She then moved to live with her sister Fanny Arias in Bethlehem until she moved into Manor Care Nursing Home (now Bethlehem South).

Survivors: She is survived in addition to her sister, Fanny are a sister, Nery Rivera; brothers, Filder Marquez, Olmedo Marquez many nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by brother, Dario Marquez and sister, Lucy Marquez.

Services: Relatives and friends are invited to her graveside service and Rite of Committal on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Resurrection Cemetery, 547 North Krocks Rd, Wescosville, PA 18106. Arrangements Entrusted to JAMES FUNERAL HOME, Bethlehem.