Family members, friends, and community leaders gathered on September 4th to celebrate the life of Maria del Milagro Garel with a special funeral Mass at the San Pedro Roman Catholic Church. Garel, originally from San Pedro but later residing in Belize City, served as the Country Director of World Pediatrics Belize. She is remembered as a compassionate advocate who dedicated more than 20 years to helping Belizean children access specialized and life-changing medical care.
The Mass began at 11AM and was attended by relatives from San Pedro and Belize City, as well as family members who traveled from as far as the United Kingdom. Members of the island’s business community and representatives of local authorities also attended to pay their respects to a woman whose work touched countless families across the country.
Her island family asked Belizeans to remember her as a loving and caring person who devoted much of her life to improving children’s well-being.
Garel passed away on August 31st after suffering a brain aneurysm at her Belize City home in late July. Doctors in Belize stabilized her before she was transported by air ambulance to Guatemala for specialized treatment. After spending more than a month receiving care at a Guatemalan hospital, Garel was brought back to Belize. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones.
“Your beautiful smile, your incredible spirit, and the light you brought into so many lives will remain with us forever,” her family shared in a tribute.
As Country Director of World Pediatrics Belize, Garel worked closely with Friends of Pediatrics and other organizations to connect Belizean children with medical missions, specialist evaluations, and procedures that were not readily available in the country. Through this work, she helped many children and their families navigate difficult and uncertain medical journeys.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness also extended condolences to Garel’s family, friends and colleagues. The ministry said her compassion, dedication and commitment to improving children’s lives left a lasting legacy that would be remembered with gratitude and admiration.
The ministry commended Garel for her many years of service to Belizean children and families. It noted that her work helped expand access to specialized medical care while strengthening collaboration between World Pediatrics and Belize’s health system.
World Pediatrics described Garel as much more than a colleague. The organization remembered her as a trusted friend, a source of strength, a fierce advocate for children, and a constant presence in the lives of families, volunteers, and team members.
Those who worked with Garel recalled her ability to make people feel welcomed and cared for. She spoke with honesty, laughed often, and brought her whole heart to everything she did.
Whether she was helping a child access specialized care, supporting a family through an uncertain medical journey, or welcoming visiting volunteers into her home, Garel made others feel seen, valued, and loved.
“Her absence is felt profoundly by our team, our partners throughout Belize, and the many lives she touched over the years,” World Pediatrics stated.
Garel’s passing has left a deep void in San Pedro and throughout Belize. However, her legacy will continue through the many children, families, and medical professionals whose lives were changed by her compassion, advocacy, and years of dedicated service.
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