Maria Elena Portillo de Pena died on August 14, 2026 after a long illness. She was 67.
She was born on April 26, 1959 in La Palma, Chalatenango, El Salvador, into a large family, the daughter of Rufino Portillo and Elena Pinto, both of whom died before her.
She married Santiago Pena when she was young, and her family and her faith were the center of her life. Her family describes her as the heart of the household, someone who looked after the needs of everyone around her without seeking any attention for it.
She was treated for cancer beginning in 2019, and her family thanked the oncology department at Tufts Medical Center for her care.
She was predeceased by her parents and by her eldest child, Juanita. She is survived by her husband Santiago; by her sons Hugo, Douglas, Elmer, Father Marcos Pena, Williams, Juan Carlos and Ronald Pena; and by eleven grandchildren.
El obituario completo, publicado en español por la familia, está disponible en la página de la funeraria.
Compiled by Chelsea Record staff from information published by Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea, (617) 889-2723. This is our own summary, not the family’s obituary; read the full obituary and leave a condolence at the funeral home’s page. Corrections: we will fix any error promptly.