Esther M. Nana Gierbolini Santini de Diaz

Esther Margarita Gierbolini de Díaz (‘Nana’), died Thursday April 14, 2011 in Raleigh, NC. She was born in Coamo, Puerto Rico on April 14, 1925. She was the daughter of the late Diego Gierbolini and Francisca Santini. She was preceded in death by her husband Tomás Díaz and by sisters Leonor and Evangelina Gierbolini.

She is survived by her daughter Ana Margarita Barker and her husband Jeffrey Wyness Barker of Mobile, AL and daughter Frances María Lee and husband Richard Edward Lee, Jr. of Cary, NC; grandchildren Alexander Edmund Barker, Francesca Maria Barker and Richard Edward Lee, III. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, brother-in-law and niece and nephews: Jose A. y Carlos E. Larracuente, Oswaldo, Rick N., and Luis A. Díaz, Hector, Ivan and Luis Llavona, Sumaya and David Díaz all of Puerto Rico.

Everyone who was blessed to have known ‘Nana’ loved her. She had a beautiful smile, joyful spirit, great sense of humor and contagious laugh. She lived life to the fullest and enjoyed dancing, watching baseball games and was very active in the voters’ registration process and support of her political party in Puerto Rico. She touched many lives through her expert needlework especially making bobbin lace (‘mundillo’) and crocheted baby booties and blankets. During the Christmas season, she was known for her Puerto Rican eggnog ‘coquito’, and for cooking ‘almojábanas’ with her three grandchildren.

Nana will be missed by many life long good friends and extended family in several places including Huntsville, AL, Mobile, AL, and all across the island of Puerto Rico.

Memorial services will be held at a later date in Puerto Rico where she will be laid to rest with her husband Tomás at the Puerto Rico National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions in her honor to an organization that touched Nana's heart. This religious order of Catholic nuns cares for the sick and terminally ill in the comfort of their home.

Convento Siervas de María

Reparto Robles C-26

Aibonito, Puerto Rico 00705

To share your fond memories of Nana and condolences, please visit http://www.brownwynnecary.com

"When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight."

-- Kahlil Gibran

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Esther M. Gierbolini de Díaz nacida en Coamo, Puerto Rico el 14 de abril de 1925 fallecio en Raleigh, NC el 14 de abril de 2011. Le sobreviven sus hijas y respectivos esposos, Ana Margarita y Jeffrey Wyness Barker y Frances y Richard E. Lee, Jr. y nietos, Alexander y Francesca Barker y Richard E. Lee, III. El entierro se llevara a cabo en el Cemeterio Nacional de Puerto Rico.

En lugar de flores, puede hacer obsequios a:

Convento Siervas de María

Reparto Robles C-26

Aibonito, Puerto Rico 00705