Maria Magdalena Colón Del Valle

Maria Magdalena Colón Del Valle, 95, died peacefully with family by her side on Thursday, September 21, 2023, in Fairfax VA. Born in Añasco, Puerto Rico on September 16, 1928 to Andres Del Valle and Luisa Garcia, she was the 11th of 12 children that included six brothers and five sisters to whom she was strongly attached. Magda, as she was known, spoke fearlessly and forthrightly to anyone. Her brutal bilingual honesty coupled with humorous colorful metaphors often elicited laughter at those whom it was directed. She spoke candidly or as she was fond of saying: “sin pelos en la lengua,” (without hairs on her tongue) but always in the spirit of love as she sought to emulate the one who loved her and redeemed her from her sin - John 3:16. Her lifelong Christian faith remained strong to her last breath. She frequently recited Bible verses from memory. When providing spiritual counsel to those who were suffering she would ask them to say out loud “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” - Philippians 4:13. As her children grew into adulthood and sought to establish themself in society, she would remind them: “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain…” - Psalm 127:1. And as her physical strength waned during the last years of her life she encourage herself by saying “Let the weak say ‘I am strong’ - Joel 3:10. At 21, she left Puerto Rico with her husband, Juan A. Colón, also born and raised on the island, and a U.S. Army officer. They traveled overseas and throughout the U.S. She spent time in Fort Sill, OK, Fort Bragg, NC, England, Germany, Fort Meade, MD, Fort Ord in Salinas CA, Omaha NB, Fort Clayton, Canal Zone, San Francisco, CA, Fresno, CA, and Colorado Springs, CO. No matter where her husband was stationed, she found an opportunity to teach or share her linguistic gifts. She taught children in the mountains of Puerto Rico, high school students in California and US Army Generals in the Panama Canal Zone. She was also an interpreter for the National Security Agency and the Jacksonville court system. She considered her family extremely important and made a point of spending 30 days each year in Puerto Rico with their extended family. She and her husband returned to Puerto Rico following his retirement as a Lt. Colonel from the U.S. Army after 21 years. They later moved to Jacksonville, Fl, where her husband served as the Public Affairs officer for the Corps of Engineers. After he died at 63, she moved to Fairfax, VA to live near her son, Ricardo Colón. Magda is survived by two sons, Aly (Sheila) Colón, Lexington, Virginia, Ricardo Colón (Julia), Fairfax, Virginia, grandchildren, Christina Colón of Boston, MA, Alex (Christianna) Colón of Chamberlain, South Dakota, Kaylee Colón, Los Angeles, CA and Isabela Colón, Fairfax, VA. She is also survived by one great-grandchild, Maverick Colón of Chamberlain, South Dakota, daughter in Christ, Ginger Colón and special caregiver and beloved friend Ana Bertrand, and her daughter Katherinne Bertrand Ortiz. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Carlos Colón. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, October 4 at Quantico National Cemetery.

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Maria Magdalena Colón Del Valle

September 21, 2023