Celia Cruz
1925 - 2003

Celia Rests In the Bronx
Among Other Famous People Who Loved the Bronx

Today, July 22, 2003, people came from all over New York City and other parts of the world to line the streets of New York's Upper East Side to pay their last respects to Celia Cruz, La Reina De Salsa (The Queen of Salsa).

After many hours of waiting in front of the Frank E. Campbell funeral home, the procession began and the throngs of mourning fans followed Celia's horse-drawn carriage on the mile long route to Saint Patrick's Cathedral.

The skies opened up to shed its own tears on today's sad occasion, but not even the intense rain, nor the protesting thunders, nor the angry lightning could deter the many admirers. They continued to run along-side the procession to Saint Patrick's to listen outside over loud speakers the funeral Mass held inside the Church.

Celia's fans know that one of Celia's many trademarks was her favorite word "Azucar," the Spanish word for sugar, which she would shout out during her performances. To the mourners the rain was no obstacle. Instead, it was "Azucar", sugar-sweetened water from the heavens. In the "sweet" rain the crowd ran, mourned, cried, but also cheered, danced, and sang Celia's songs, as Celia would have wanted. In tribute, some carried flags, others carried pictures or flowers, while still others carried small bags of sugar.

By the time the Mass ended, the rain had stopped. As the casket was carried out of the Church to continue the journey to the Bronx, Celia's Cuban-flag-draped coffin was greeted by dry skies. The "sweet" rain giving way to hints of the sun, as if to dry the mourners' own tears.

Never has there been anything like it and perhaps never will be again. Both in Miami and New York, thousands of people spent long hours to pay their respects. The loyalty and support of the many, the outpouring of love and sadness, the gathering of the many fans of all nationalities and walks of life is unprecedented. Celia was and is truly loved by the world, not a surprising fact since she was a great human being. Although music was her passion and her life, there was more to Celia than just music. The list of awards and honors bestowed on her is formidable.

The Grammy-winning Celia Cruz will be buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx. There she will join another Salsa legend, Tito Puente (1923 - 2000), a close friend and fellow performer, as well as Miles, Duke Ellington and other famous giants who made their contributions in all fields of human endeavor. She is survived by her partner and husband of 50 years, Pedro Knight. Theirs is a true love story that still goes on, as is that of Celia with her public.

More Pictures