Onelia Perez

January 22, 1935 - June 9, 2024

Onelia, or as she was affectionally called Nell or Nellie, was best known for her radiant smile and her home cooking. Her home was open to many, but her heart was open to all. She passed away peacefully on June 9th surrounded by her family in Manchester, NJ.

She was born in New York City in 1935 to her parents Amelia and Antonio Diaz. She grew up with her sisters Lucy, Gloria, and her brother Tony. In her teenage years she met the love of her life Ralph J Perez. They married in 1953 and spent the next 71 years happily together.

Onelia was a hand-model, a fashion model, and worked retail before becoming the Matriarch of the Perez Family. In 1960, Nell and Ralph had their first child, Cynthia, and in 1969 they had Arthur J.

Onelia spent the next three decades raising her children as a homemaker. She nurtured love between her nieces and nephews, and alongside her siblings she created a family in which cousins were more like siblings. Her children’s friends were always welcomed into the home and treated as her own, whether it was providing a homecooked meal, advice or just a place to sleep.

Nell later returned to working retail at Sears in the Freehold Mall. In her later years, her world revolved around her four grandchildren. She loved being a grandparent and was adamant about attending their events. She treasured her time with them and was always so quick to smile when they entered the room.

Onelia especially appreciated her Friday afternoon fish-filet, but we will forever crave the love she poured into her rice and beans, arroz con pollo, empanadas and carne mechada. We will miss Nellie, every day. God took her away, but the true blessing is that we had her for so long.

Nellie is survived by her husband Ralph, her brother Tony and his wife Ivette, her daughter Cynthia and her husband Scott, Her son Arthur J and his wife Irene as well as her four grandchildren, Scott, John, Mia and Andrew.

Visitation will be Friday, June 14, from 2-6 pm at the Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, 3010 Ridgeway Rd, Manchester, NJ 08759 with Services beginning at 5:30pm.