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Marisol Cruz

Marisol Cruz (née Reyes) was a Puerto Rican school counselor who lived in Hialeah, Florida. She and Rafael Cruz became parents as teenagers while living in Puerto Rico and later raised their children, Ezra Cruz and Luna Cruz, in the Miami area. Marisol was widowed when Rafael died from an accidental fentanyl overdose in 2022.

Early Life and Family

Marisol was the daughter of Teresa Dominguez and the younger sister of Rosa Reyes. She became pregnant with Ezra at fifteen. Rafael was seventeen. They were high-school sweethearts, and Rafael took construction work to support the household. Their Puerto Rican family network mobilized around the young parents: Rosa helped Marisol during the pregnancy, while Rafael’s friend Hector Burgos supported the young couple.

Ezra was born in Puerto Rico in 2006. Rafael went ahead to the Miami area for work, and Marisol moved there with Ezra when he was about two; Luna was born there in 2011.

Career

Marisol worked as a school counselor at a bilingual public school in Miami. The available record does not establish her degree, certification route, or the dates of her employment.

Personality and Communication

Marisol was warm, direct, and practical. She spoke English and Spanish and used both languages within her family. Her support for Rafael during his chronic pain and substance use included medical advocacy and repeated efforts to obtain appropriate care.

After Rafael’s death, Marisol supported both children through their grief. Ezra’s escalating substance use and behavior demanded sustained intervention, while Luna’s quieter distress was less visible within the family’s immediate crisis.

Family and Core Relationships

Rafael Cruz

Main article: Rafael Cruz and Marisol Cruz

Marisol and Rafael began their relationship as teenagers in Puerto Rico. Rafael remained her partner through the family’s move to Florida, the birth of their two children, his construction injury, and the years of chronic pain and substance use that preceded his death.

Ezra Cruz

Main article: Marisol Cruz and Ezra Cruz

Marisol advocated for Ezra throughout his childhood and later substance-use crisis. She combined continued support with boundaries intended to protect him and the rest of the family.

Luna Cruz

Main article: Marisol Cruz and Luna Cruz

Marisol raised Luna in the Hialeah household and remained part of her adult family life. Rafael’s death and Ezra’s subsequent crisis affected how attention and responsibility were distributed within the household.

Raffie Cruz

Main article: Marisol Cruz and Raffie Cruz

Marisol was Raffie’s paternal grandmother. She remained involved with Ezra’s family after Raffie’s birth.

Rosa Reyes

Rosa was Marisol’s older sister. She supported Marisol during her pregnancy with Ezra and later helped the family during crises involving Rafael and the children.

Memorable Quotes

“I will not bury you, Ezra Rafael. I will not lose you like I did your papi.”

Marisol said this to Ezra in Berlin during his worst period of substance use.

Characters Supporting Characters Living Characters Latinx Characters Puerto Rican Characters Educators Cruz Family