Nilda Mercedes Parellada

She was born October 17, 1941, in Santiago de Cuba to Jose Alvarez Gonzales and Mercedes Alfonso Benitez.

She is survived by her children Jorge Alexander Parellada and Yamilet Parellada Jones; their spouses Cheryl Hymel Parellada and Thomas Scott Jones; in addition to her grandchildren Jordan Adam Parellada, Justin Alexander Parellada, and Ashley Winan Parellada and her great grandchildren Holden Alexander Parellada and Harper Kathleen Parellada. Nilda was a strong woman and a dedicated mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Nilda and her recently deceased spouse immigrated to United States in 1963. She was pregnant at the time but they were determined to give their children and themselves a better life. They worked hard to ensure that they and their children would have freedom and peace. They became American citizens because they believed America was the best country in the world. After immigrating in 1963 to New Orleans, Louisiana. They settled in Metairie, Louisiana in 1971.

Nilda attended la Escuela Anexa y Escuela de Comercio (accounting school) until Cuban politics escalated and it was no longer safe for her or others to attend school. She attended college in the US and studied English and accounting at Tulane University and Delgado community College. She worked at several jobs until she settled at S Jackson & Sons Inc (Jackson Kearney Group). She met lifelong friends during her time there. In addition, she and her husband worked diligently to bring family and friends to the US from Cuba. Helping many immigrants escape oppression and becoming US citizens through education, hard work, love and community. She was a force of nature when she set her mind to it.

Nilda had many hobbies but many were based on needs such as sewing dresses. She loved to dance, travel, crocheting, watching Turkish soap operas, enjoying happy hours, spending time with family and friends, helping others in time of need. But her ultimate goal was caring for her family, children and grandchildren.

She will have a private memorial with close family and friends at Garden of Memories Cemetery at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 8, 2024, 4900 Airline Drive Metairie, LA 70001.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org/dignitymemorial)