Isolina Nieves was born in Utuado, Puerto Rico on January 13, 1931, and passed on August 12, 2022, at age 91. She was the beloved mother of Alicia, Stephen, Yolanda, and Jose Henry; adoring grandmother of 8 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great grandchildren.
She was a great singer. Even until this last May 2022, she could still sing clearly and had no trouble remembering the lyrics of any song that she liked. She was a patriotic woman (she cried for days when Kennedy was assassinated), and she had a deep reverence for God. Her childhood was difficult, and she suffered many things coming from a family of 18 siblings. Her dad died when she was very young and her mother struggled bringing up the children. As a young woman, she aspired and dreamed to be an actor, singer, or a writer but life was very harsh for her.
Because of her upbringing, she grew up to be very strong, and very independent. She cared for us and protected us in her own way. She was very strict, firm, and stern and taught us strong moral values while we were growing up. After surviving the final part of World War II, everyone had a hard time making it through the famine. Despite all that she always managed to have something for us to eat before we went to bed.
Like a true, caring, mother, she tried her best to make life better for her children. I can remember her crying herself to sleep due to worrying in different parts of our lives. Even when our dad was still with us, mom would try to protect us from his abuse cried her eyes out. Like a faithful and loving Christian, she took us to church as often as she could and made sure that we learned the 10 Commandments and the sacraments according to the Catholic Church. Through the years the one thing that has always helped me stay accountable for my actions and my words and my duties has been what mother taught us through the ten Commandments. To this day, I thank her for her efforts in making sure that we learned them and live by them. I thank her for setting us on the right path. Although she could sometimes come off as difficult because she always wanted things done in a “perfect” way, today I now realize she only wanted the best for those she loved.
She always taught us to be kind and helpful to other people without expecting anything in return; to give and not keep count. I know she got that from the word of God through Jesus Christ because she learned through the gospels that this is how Jesus wants us to live. We did not always get on the best of terms, and it has taken me almost a lifetime to figure her out. It took me going through my own unexplainable situations to learn that in the end, the heart is what counts. Deep in her heart, she had lots of love for all of us. It was hard for her to express this at times. Despite this, and the frustration it caused between us at times, I loved her through it all and always will. She is my mother!
During her last 6 months, she made it clear she thought her time was drawing close. She gave me her blessings and told me to give them to her grandchildren and her great grandchildren when I saw them. I knew then she was in close contact with God. It makes me happy to know that through all the pain, hardships, and suffering, she never stopped thanking God or praying for her family. Until the very end, she always put her family first, and it is the legacy of her love, and her care for others that keeps her alive in our hearts. I love you Mommy!!! Your loving daughter, Alicia
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