Luz Marina Ayala-Perez

Luz Marina Ayala-Perez, beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, friend, and confidant, passed

away on December 29, 2025, at the age of 69 in New Rochelle, New York.

Born on November 5, 1956, to Graciliano Ayala and Marina Perez de Ayala, in Bogota D.C.,

Colombia. Her passion for knowledge propelled her through her professional career. Beginning

as a legal studies graduate from La Universidad Libre de Bogotá, which certified her as a

licensed attorney in the Colombian jurisdiction, she went on to work in a variety of fields, serving

as a judge, civil litigation attorney, and legal counsel for governmental agencies. Her

professional ventures are representative of her eclectic fashion; there was never a task too

difficult for her to take on.

Her unrelenting drive and ambition propelled her to move to the United States in the late 1990s,

where she established a lasting legacy as an advocate for the rights of immigrants. Her life's

work, Hudson River Immigrant Services, has served hundreds, if not thousands, of people over

the last 25 years. She expanded her professional career at New York Life Insurance Company

as a life insurance agent, where she was time and time again recognized for her work ethic.

With her tenacity, she bolstered the futures of her descendants.

Luz leaves behind a large and loving family, including her children, Camilo and Natalia Guevara

Ayala, their spouses, Maphe and Tom. Her grandchildren: Simon, Sue, Mishua, and Emma. Her

ex-husband and life-long friend, Mauro Guevara, his wife Lidia Fonseca, and their daughter

Tania. Her beloved sisters and brothers: Myriam Ayala, Patricia Ayala, Alberto Sanchez, and his

wife, Gloria Siachoque. Preceded in death by her two brothers, Edgar and Julio Ayala. Her

nieces and nephews: Diana Marcela Cespedes, Ruben Alonso Rodriguez, Ian Zamudio, Angelo

Zamudio, Emmanuel Zamudio, Edgar Leonardo Ayala, Daniel Ayala, Cesar Arturo Ayala,

Catalina Ayala, Felipe Ayala, Samuel Ayala, Isaac Ayala, Veronica Sanchez, David Sanchez,

Juan Sanchez, Jose Sanchez. Her ex-husband, Marco Andrade. Her sister-in-law: Adriana

Guevara. Her friends: her endeared Rina Esther Pabon, Magnolia Calle, Clemencia Castañeda,

and Hilda Garcia. Her professional supports; Karla Potter, Steve Anduze, Monica Martinez, Luis

Del Monte, William Rodriguez, and Gregory Cabal.

She always ensured support for her family, regardless of distance, known to all as a solidary

figure. Luz spent her days diligently working, in doing so, touching the hearts of others. She will

be remembered through the melody of her voice as she sang along to her many records, the

intricacy of her craft, the warmth she exuded, her constant laugh, and her jestering. With our

hearts heavy, we remember Luzma through celebration, we applaud her achievements and

perseverance. She continues to inspire, and through her legacy, her spirit lives on.

A wake will be held on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at

Ballard-Durand Funeral Home at 2 Maple Avenue, White Plains, NY. All those who knew Luz

are welcome to attend the service. In place of flowers, we kindly request donations be sent to

https://movimientodevictimas.org/en/haz-un-donativo/