On October 21, 2026, Mrs. Nelsiana Bonilla 96, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family. Born in Mantanzas, Cuba on February 3, 1930. She was the third of five children born to Juan and Luisa Kassab. She is still survived by one of her sisters Negia Hernandez. Nelsiana was raised in Mantanzas and attended school there. She studied education at the university to become a teacher and graduated with a doctorate degree. After graduation, she taught in local schools. She later married Joseph A. Estrada and they had two sons, Joseph and Emilio.
In 1962, due to the unrest in Cuba the family fled to the United States and were sponsored and relocated to California. Nelsiana learned English and obtained her doctorate degree and began teaching Spanish in the school system. She was later promoted to the head of the language department.
She retired and moved to Miami Florida in 1974 to be close with her family which was important to her. Later she met her second husband Harry Bonilla and they enjoyed many years travelling and attending social events. After his passing, in her final years, Nelsiana enjoyed cruses and outings to the local casino with family members.
Nelsiana is survived by her son Joseph A. Estrada, his partner William Toth, her other son Emilio S. Estrada, his wife Donna and Emilio’s three children and four grandchildren.
