Obituary for Isabel Goyzueta Jarandilla

It is with deep sorrow and great love that we announce the passing of our cherished mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Isabel Goyzueta Jarandilla, who left us peacefully on March 6, 2025, at the age of 90.

Isabel was born in Carabuco, La Paz, Bolivia, on November 11, 1934, to Martin Jarandilla and Epifania Cayo. Her great love for others was evident in her amazing culinary abilities, which inspired  subsequent generations.

In La Paz, she demonstrated a remarkable entrepreneurial spirit that was truly ahead of its time, by developing a successful juicing business. A woman of unwavering faith in God and dedication to her family, Isabel made countless sacrifices throughout her life, always showing resilience and her strength.

In the late 1960s, she and her beloved husband, Santos Goyzueta, made the courageous decision to leave their homeland in search of a better life for their family. Together, they immigrated to the  United States with their three young children, facing many challenges along the way, but always with the hope of giving their family a brighter future with more opportunities.

Isabel joined the workforce in the U.S. within the medical field, working as a housekeeper at the local hospital. Her perseverance and determination shaped not only her own life but the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who carry her legacy of faith, hope, and love with them every day.

After her daughter Carmela, and sons Walter and Juan, were saved, Isabel and her husband, Santos, also came to faith in Christ. She was baptized in the First Baptist Church of Flushing and was a faithful member of their Spanish congregation, up until 1990, when she and Santos transferred to Bible Baptist Church in Queens Village (now in Elmont). She and Santos were charter members of Bible Baptist Church until they moved to Kissimmee, Florida in 1993.

Isabel was preceded in death by her husband of almost 50 years, Santos Goyzueta, who passed away in 2002. Their love was a testament to commitment and devotion, and they are now reunited in Heaven.

After Santos’s passing, Isabel lived with Carmela and Jim in New York, with the dream of returning to the warm climate in Florida. In 2017, God graciously granted that wish as she joined them in Naples, Florida, where she continued to show a lively spirit, despite being affected by the ravages of progressive dementia.

Isabel Goyzueta leaves behind her three beloved children: Carmela Barker (James), Walter Goyzueta (Janice), and Juan Goyzueta (Valerie). She is also survived by nine grandchildren: James Barker, Isabelle Sutter (Daniel), Rachel McConnell (Matthew), Sarah Lambert (Richie), Andrew Goyzueta (Amanda), Arielle Banal (Rick), Anna Goyzueta, Aaron Goyzueta, and Peter Goyzueta (Tina); and thirteen great-grandchildren: Jesse, Camila, Sofia, and Julia (children of Daniel and Isabelle); Griffin and Maeve (children of Rachel and Matthew); Tippin and Francis (children of Sarah and Richie); Emma, Cora, and Miles (children of Andrew and Amanda), and Mia and Ellie (children of Arielle and Rick).

Growing up, she was the heart of our family, always offering her unconditional love and unwavering support. She also demonstrated a fierce competitive spirit, especially during intense games of Chinese checkers. We will cherish the memories we have together for the rest of our lives and her legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.

A memorial service will be held to honor Isabel Goyzueta and her incredible life on Friday, March 21 at Bible Baptist Church, 779 Elmont Road, Elmont NY at 7:00 PM. Viewing will be from 2 to 5  PM and again at 7 PM on March 21. The funeral service will be at Bible Baptist Church at 9 AM Saturday morning, March 22. The burial will take place on Saturday immediately following the  funeral service at Flushing Cemetery at 11 AM.

Details and a link to access the livestream and recordings of the funeral events will be shared on Bible Baptist Church of Elmont’s Facebook page.

We take comfort and rejoice in the promise of Isabel’s eternal life, knowing that she is now in the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and reunited with her beloved Santos Goyzueta and other loved ones.

“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8