NJ Siblings ‘Become Parents Overnight’ After Deaths Of Mom, Dad

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Lunisol Guzman was the “undisputed best cook ever.” And her culinary prowess – in addition to a “contagious laugh” and “the most giving heart” – are just a few of the reasons she will be missed, her family says.

Last week, Guzman, a 50-year-old Newark resident who worked as a shuttle bus driver at Montclair State University, died of coronavirus complications. She is the first university employee to pass away from the disease, NorthJersey.com reported.

Guzman died just weeks after her husband, Ismael Lugo, who also contracted the virus. They recently adopted a 4-year-old son and a 2-year-old daughter, NorthJersey.com reported.

The pair are also survived by adult children, one of whom, Katherine Guzman, offered a touching message of tribute to her mother on a GoFundMe campaign. The fundraiser will help the surviving family members cope with the difficulties of “becoming parents overnight.”

As of Sunday morning, the GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $28,000 from over 650 donors, and has been shared more than 1,600 times. (See the campaign or make a donation)

Guzman wrote:

“It is with a broken heart that I announce that on May 7, my mother, Lunisol Guzman, lost her battle to complications from COVID-19. She had been hospitalized since March 27.

“My mother's death has rattled our lives forever. Additionally, her husband, our stepfather, was met with the same fate and lost his life on April 11.

“She was a wife, sister, daughter, friend, colleague and a giver. But her most important role was being our mother. Mom leaves behind her children; myself (Katherine), Jennifer, Andy and two adopted children Zavion (4) and Jazzmyn (2). We have never been more devastated. Mom was our EVERYTHING.

“There is so much we can say but in short, she was the undisputed best cook ever, she had a contagious laugh and the most giving heart. She was loved by everyone who knew her and was at her happiest when hosting family gatherings. There are voids that my siblings and I will never be able to fill.

“Saying these circumstances are challenging is an understatement. Our family could use all the support. My siblings and I became parents overnight, we have funeral expenses and legal fees, amongst other things.

“Thank you in advance for all of your generosity. We truly appreciate it and will never forget to pay it forward. Please continue to keep our family in your prayers.”

READ MORE: NJ Coronavirus Updates (Here's What You Need To Know)

Keep updated with local public safety alerts at the Patch Montclair Facebook page. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com