Gina Lorena Villegas

Gina Lorena Villegas Jacome was born on January 25, 1968 in Ecuador. Growing up she was like a sponge in the sense of soaking in everything she saw and learned, to later use in life. As a little girl she would wake up and start working at home, making sure the house was clean and when it was dinner time she was right by her mothers side helping with meals. She was a perfectionist as a child, meaning she had to have everything perfect and took pride in that. In her late teens, Gina met Joffre Villegas and fell in love with him and later married. Gina and Joffre came to the United States and settled in the Bronx, N.Y., where they had three children, Joffre Jr., Lorena "Nini" , and Jim. Gina loved her kids dearly, although at times they could drive her crazy. She always put her kids first, she was a stay at home mom, and took care of her kids the best she could. Gina and her family moved to New Jersey for a better life, this is where they had their first house. At this point in Gina's life she became a little more independent by getting a job at Walmart to help support her family. Gina wasn't fluent in English, but it didn't hold her back. Gina and her family moved to Florida, her life became a juggling act between her job and raising three kids, but she always made sure there was dinner on the table and always in control of her life. Gina advanced at Walmart by becoming a manager; not only was she the boss at home, but also in the work place. Gina "Mom" had great "will" and "drive", an immigrant from Ecuador whom learned English, became a manager at a huge retail company and Always making time for her family and cooking such wonderful dinners for them. In her final days she was much admired by her kids, just for being the person she was. Gina was a very strong, independent,smart woman and a wonderful mother and homemaker. Gina never took "NO" for an answer and instilled this into her kids. On her final day on Earth, she had a very normal day, an early shift at work, then straight home to her children to cook for them a 4th of July meal. Gina "Mom" didn't get enough time on this earth but the love and the memories she gave everyone along with her passion and drive lives on today.