Christel Maldonado

Christel Schaller Maldonado, 85 of Orlando Florida passed away, December 14, 2022, with her daughter Dolores and her beloved Reggie by her side.

Full legal name: Christel Schaller Maldonado
Nickname: Mom / Momma / Oma
Age: 85 years, 11 months and 1 week
Place of passing: Advent Hospital East Orlando
Place of residence: Orlando, Florida
Education: Bachelor degree
Employment: City of Orlando, Parking Department - Retired

Christel was born to parents Magdalena Muller Schaller and Hans Schaller on January 4, 1937 in Tiefenbach Germany during World War II.  She overcame the many challenges of growing up during the war as a young child.

Christel first came to the United States of America in 1963 not speaking the language with four small children while her husband spent three years in Vietnam.  She became a proud U.S. citizen in 1968.

She was married to the late Angel Antonio Maldonado-Marrero, Sr. in 1959, they lived in various areas of Germany for many years, in Georgia, in California, in Belgium and in Puerto Rico before settling in Orlando Florida.  Christel is survived by her brother Helmut of Tiefenbach Germany and five children: Roswitha Magdalena (Robin), of Jacksonville FL, Maria Dolores of Orlando FL, Angel Antonio of Benton TN, Jorge Luis (Tonya) of Tallahassee FL and Victor Teofilo (Vicki) of Winter Garden, FL.  She is also survived by five Grandson’s, Christopher, Robert, Tristen, Sean, and James and two Granddaughters Tiffiney and Paige and one great-grandson Micha and her pups Apple and Daisy. Christel was predeceased by her husband, father, mother and sister.

Christel Maldonado loved living, traveling, her family, animals and friends.  She enjoyed Magical Dining not for the food but for the companionship, the desserts and drinks.  She had an amazing sense of humor and not only made everyone laugh but she laughed often.  She was a hotel manager, professional seamstress, artist/craft maker, den mother, garage attendant, homemaker, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, devoted wife however the job she was most proud of was that of a mother.  She enjoyed making her children’s clothes, coats and suits.  She volunteered for and was an active participant in all her children’s activities.  No matter where she lived or where she worked, she was always Mrs. Christel, the go to mom.  Her energy level is one to be envied, you could get exhausted just watching her in constant motion.  When it came to water, she believed that water was for washing and not for drinking.  She also believed that you should not have just one drink because you don’t stand on one leg.  She has a passion for animals and was always contributing to various animal / wildlife charities.  She loved gardening and growing various plants, roses and flowers.  Those who met her instantly loved her, she had a very loving heart and welcomed into her home anyone that her children brought home, with many becoming lifelong friends.  She was immensely proud of her children and grandchildren and wished that her children continued to keep in touch with each other, be supportive of each other and be a family especially after her death.

There will be no public viewing.  A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will take place at 1:00 p.m. on January 4, 2023 at the Carey Hand COLONIAL FUNERAL HOME located at 2811 Curry Ford Road, Orlando, FL 32806 (Phone: 407.898.2561) a reception will follow with an open house at the family residence. Per Christel’s request and the family’s wishes it is requested that individuals make charitable donation to ASPCA or any Animal / Wildlife charity in lieu of flowers.