Maya Angel Cuadrado

Obituary for

Maya Angel Cuadrado

Maya Angel Cuadrado, age 12, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, passed away on April 12, 2026. She was born on February 1, 2014, in Bronx, New York, to Miguel Cuadrado and the late Lydia Montañez.

Maya was a bright, spirited, and unforgettable young lady whose life, though far too short, was filled with creativity, joy, and so much love. She was an elementary school student at New Beginnings Family Academy, where she brought energy, personality, and a little bit of sass everywhere she went.

Maya had a deep love for fashion and expressed herself through her own unique style—often describing her aesthetic as either “comfy” or “cutie core.” She loved to shop, dress up, and cosplay, always finding fun ways to show off her personality. She loved to dance and was enrolled in a dance class with her niece, Nyeli Craig, and you could often find her recording TikTok dances, fully in her element.

She had a natural talent for drawing and loved to doodle and sketch, inspired by her niece, Faith Bethea. Being left-handed didn’t slow her down one bit—although her handwriting might have said otherwise. Maya also loved to sing. While she wasn’t one to perform in front of a crowd, she sang her heart out in the backseat of the car and was even teaching herself Spanish so she could sing her favorite Bad Bunny songs.

Maya loved being in the kitchen, experimenting and creating her own recipes. Once she discovered how to make mac and cheese, it quickly became one of her favorite things to cook. Even when her creations didn’t look perfect, they were always made with love—and somehow, they tasted amazing.

She was incredibly creative and entrepreneurial, already working on starting her own Etsy shop and LLC. Maya was proud of the money she had saved and the ideas she was building. She loved making bracelets, doing arts and crafts, and dreaming big.

Maya had a gift for connecting with people. She made friends everywhere she went—even with staff at school—because her smile was so bright and her personality so magnetic, it was hard to tell her no. She was known for making her “good morning rounds” before heading to class, stopping to greet everyone along the way. While she could be a little chatty during class, she was also one of the top students in her 6th grade class.

She was a proud member of the Girl Scouts and had recently advanced to Cadette. Her troop, Troop 30156, honored her by planting a tree in Beardsley Park in her memory, naming it “Mighty Maya.” Maya was intelligent, funny, sassy, and full of life—a true light who left a lasting impression on everyone she met.

Family and friends are invited to honor Maya’s life at a viewing on Sunday, April 26, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Funeraria Luz de Paz, 426 E. Washington Avenue, Bridgeport, Connecticut.

She will be laid to rest on Monday, April 27, 2026, with departure at approximately 11:00 a.m. to Woodlawn Cemetery in Bronx, New York, where she will rest beside her beloved mother and her late grandfather, Nicolas Albaladejo. Guests are kindly asked to gather in the parking lot prior to departure, as there will be no formal viewing at the cemetery. 

Maya is survived by her loving father, Miguel Cuadrado; her devoted sister, Shalimar Montañez, who raised Maya from the age of five and was a second mother to her; Shalimar’s spouse, Mark Craig, who was also a father figure to Maya; her protective older brother, Nicholas Montañez; her loving older sister, Charlene Cuadrado; her cherished grandmother, Rosa Albaladejo, who spoiled her rotten; and her loving aunt, Erica Albaladejo, who also spoiled her. She is also survived by her nieces, Nyeli Craig and Faith Bethea, who were raised alongside her as sisters and shared a special bond.

She was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Lydia Montañez and beloved grandfather, Nicolas Albaladejo.

Maya will be remembered for her radiant spirit, her creativity, her humor, and the way she made everyone feel seen and loved. She was truly one of a kind—our little star, our joy, our everything.