Aracelis Richards
June 18, 1960 - July 4, 2026
Aracelis Richards, age 66, of Delaware City, DE, passed away on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
Born in Bronx, NY on June 18, 1960, she was a daughter of the late Huldarico and Maria (Ayala) Ortiz. As one of nine children and a twin, Aracelis’s dedication and love of family began at a young age. She devoted her life to her family as a stay-at-home mom. Over the years, Aracelis affectionately cared for her husband, daughter, siblings, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She believed in patience, kindness, understanding and gentleness in her approach to the youth in her family. Aracelis listened first then advice came after; she waited out the tantrums and then explained the why’s. She hugged and kissed away the sadness. She poked, tickled and joked to bring joy. Whenever Aracelis was around, laughter was imminent.
Aracelis’s nurturing didn’t stop at her family; she was an excellent plant mom. Her home was lush with thriving plants, enough to resemble the botanical gardens. If she could propagate it, she could plant it, and she managed to find space amongst the rest of them. Aracelis was also extremely meticulous about cleaning. It was known in her home that you couldn’t leave a dish in the sink and then go to bed. In fact, a clean sink at night meant a closed kitchen, so don’t even think about messing about in there.
In addition to her parents, Aracelis was preceded in death by her siblings, Orlando Ortiz and Debbie Ortiz. She is survived by her loving husband of 33 years, Andrew Richards; children, Orlando “Landi” Ortiz and Amy Richards (Jermaine); grandchildren, Brianna Boomer and Jermaine Boomer, Jr.; great-grandchild, Zyaire Gatewood; twin sister, Wanda Ortiz; siblings, Luz Ortiz, Marta Ortiz, Diana Ortiz, Huldarico “Junior” Ortiz (Sadie), and Ernie Ortiz (Zita); sister-in-law, Madeline Ortiz; 17 nieces and nephews; and 20 great nieces and nephews.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 11:30 am until 12:30 pm on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 12:30 pm. Interment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Aracelis’ memory to a charity close to her heart, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online by clicking here. In honor of her battle with cancer, additional donations may be made in her name to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or online by clicking here.
Chloe Smith
Celi was an amazing who helped take me to school ever since I was in 4th garde to graduation, being close to her granddaughter Brianna. She always made sure I was fed and taken care of every morning and every night that I was in her home. She always did her best to make me feel at home and safe. I am proud to say I considered her and everyone around her family. She always had the warmest heart towards everyone even through hard times. I will forever miss the kind of woman she was and hope to grow to have the same sweet and warm heart she had.
Helen Hamilton
Helen Hamilton Catherine Richard Rose , Vivian and Betty Bryant, you will forever be in our heart love you Amy Wanda my baby Brother stay strong
Crystal Sparrow-Young
May she rest in peace and her memory be a blessing.
Sadie Ortiz
My deepest condolences on the loss of my Sister-in-law Aracellis. Your kindness will leave a mark on everyone who had the privilege of knowing you. You had a way of making people feel loved – a rare gift that made your presence feel like comfort itself. I know how much you meant to your family. Losing you creates a silence that feels impossible to fill. But, we find comfort in knowing that your love doesn’t end here It will live on in our lives forever. You are gone, but you will never be forgotten.
Betty and William Harvey Bryant
With very sad and hurtful condolences to my baby Brother, his children and his children’s children for the loss of my sweet sister/inlaw. Angie as we called her. We loved her and we laughed a lot when we visited her in New York. Praying for my families peace and comfort at this time of sorrow.
Luz Ortiz
Aracelis I will missed you dearly love always.
Diana
Aracelis May the Lord bless you and keep you in His eternal care. You are now resting with the angels free from all pain
Though our hearts are breaking, we find comfort in knowing you are at peace in God’s paradise. I love you and miss you ❤️
Diana
If roses grow in heaven, Lord,Please pick a bunch for me.Place them in my sister’s arms,And tell her they’re from me.Tell her that I love and miss her,And when she turns to smile,Place a kiss upon her cheek,And hold her for a while. Tell her that I love her very much ❤️❤️
Diana
Aracelis May the Lord bless you and keep you in His eternal care. You are now resting with the angels free from all pain
Though our hearts are breaking, we find comfort in knowing you are at peace in God’s paradise. ❤️
Tony Moore
My deepest condolences to you and the Family,may God keep you wrapped in His arms.
Ernie Ortiz
Cele I will miss you so much. I will always remember the great times we had together.may your soul rest in peace for all eternity. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🌺🌺🌺🌺❤️❤️❤️❤️
Jenny Ortiz
Titi me and Jayden are gonna miss you very much, we love you always! ❤️🕊️
Salomon-ortiz Family.
We’re in deeper sorrow for losing a gem like Celi. Our hearts are havey. Celi had the biggest heart. We’re praying for peace and comfort during this difficult time for the Richards and Ortiz family. 🙏🏾
Rest in perfect peace Arecelis.🙏🏾🤍🌹🌺🌹🕊🕊🕊🙏🏾
Marvin Pendleton
Deepest condolences to your family. May you be comforted by your many memories that ŵill never be forgotten. ❣️🙏🏾
Siobhan Castelli
I am so sorry for your loss. Celi was a special person who always found a way to make everyone feel loved.
Sending love and prayers to all. Xx
Diana
Aracelis
There isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t think of you. The pain of losing you never truly leaves; it simply becomes something we carry with us. We miss your smile, your laughter, your voice, and the way you made everything feel a little brighter.
Some days we smile at the beautiful memories we shared, and other days the emptiness feels overwhelming because we wish we could see you one more time, hug you one more time, and tell you how much we love you.
Though you’re no longer here beside us, you will always live in our heart. We believe your love still surrounds us, and your memory gives us strength when our heart feels heavy.
Until the day we meet again, we will hold you close in our thoughts, cherish every memory, and love you with all our heart.
We miss you more than words can ever express. Heaven gained a beautiful angel, but our heart will always long for our sister. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Forever loved. Forever missed. Never forgotten. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️