Dionisia Nieves, age 87 of Bayville died on January 9, 2019 at Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus, Lakewood, New Jersey. She will be honored on Friday, January 18, 2019 at the Anderson and Campbell Funeral Home, Main Street, Toms River between the hours of 6 – 10 PM. Funeral to follow on Saturday, January 19, at Ocean County Memorial Park at 10:30 AM. Dionisa is survived by daughters Luz Nereida Nieves, Gloria Iris Adorno, Brenda Ivelisse Rosa, and Marisol Stewart.
DIONISIA, the name of the Greek Goddess of joy and laughter! Yes, Dionisia owned the name and lived up to every aspect the name embodies! Characterized by her “infectious laugh and smile,” over her lifetime, Dionisia was attributed other aliases “Legend” “Diva” “Barbie”… an acclaimed independent spirit whose light touched all that came in contact with her. Dionisia was the life of all parties, social gatherings and affairs. In her youth, she was a political activist and enjoyed that forum as a means to express her voice, her energy, and that unique talent of ridiculing the miseries, contradictions, ironies, and tragedies of life. Through her jokes, storytelling, and spontaneous assessment and description of people and situations, she was quick to capture the attention of her audiences. Until the end of her precious life, Dionisia remained and owned the center and focus of joy and laughter in all family, work, social gatherings, and events.
Dionisia’s compassionate soul will never be forgotten. She was an outstanding cook and never prepared a meal without the thought of sharing it with others. A woman who knew need, understood need, and always acted upon need unselfishly whenever a situation demanded it. If she couldn’t address a situation herself, she had the army of four daughters that would have to act on her behalf!
Dionisia enjoyed music and dancing… everything youthful!!! In her senior years, as in her youth, she resisted oppression. She insisted upon the company and activities of the youngest family members. Hanging out with seniors was definitely not Dionisia’s interest. She enjoyed cruises, trips to Atlantic City, dining, and Bingo but only with the company of her daughters, grandkids, and other young adults. She enjoyed shopping, young fashion, and meticulously maintained her appearance. Uniquely, her prize possession was the eggplant colored, special edition; turbo powered PT Cruiser which she drove with her signature name plate.
Born during the depression era in Camuy, Puerto Rico, the eldest of nine surviving children, Dionisia rose above the social and economic conditions of the times and the restrictions of a culturally stifling family. Much to the resentment of her repressive family, she found comfort and solace in singing and animating audiences, along with a guitarist known as Felix Rosa. The stifling conditions that surrounded her were the impetus for Dionisia to propel and thrust herself into a journey that was to change the course of the Nieves family history. In the early 1950s, she arrived in Monmouth County, New Jersey without a destination, family or friends. However, Dionisia was ready to burst life with her energy and effort, and stomp the oppression that had tried to restrain her life and spirit.
Over time, Dionisia earned the distinction as the Nieves family matriarch. She provided the resources and reception for all her brothers Esperanza, Hemerejildo, Epifanio, Juan Francisco, and Bernardo. They came to New Jersey and Dionisia shepherded them through the process of acculturation. Each brother flourished, and raised families as citizens contributing to all aspects of American culture, including law enforcement, health care, and business enterprise. All brothers with the exception of Juan Francisco remained in New Jersey until they died. Dionisia, the eldest, was the last to go among them. One sister, Juana, remained in Puerto Rico and became the lifelong companion of their mother, the stoic, Felipa Serrano Roman. Dionisia’s father Fernando Nieves Hernandez grieving the loss of his oldest son, Ambrosio, died while Dionisia was very young.
Dionisia celebrated the honor and achievements of several grandchildren commencing with Elaine Santiago, Michael Santiago, Wendy Adorno, Jessica Otero, Fernando Otero, Ivan Otero, Michael Stewart, Christen Stewart, and Dale Stewart. Each grandchild in their own special way was the source of much admiration and pride. Most achieved scholarly distinctions by becoming college graduates, professional practitioners, and serving in the United States military.
Great grandchildren include Michael Christian Santiago, Isabella DeSousa, Juliana Torres, Moises Torres Jr., Elena Oquendo, and Sienna Otero.
Spending time with Great, Great grandchildren became her greatest passions and obsessions in recent years. They include Liana Stewart, age eleven, Julian Stewart, age six, Lucas Plascencia, age six, and Christian Santiago, age two.
In the end, one could only hope to have the dozens of family and friends that stood vigil in prayer and compassionate solidarity at the hospital for three days, nonstop, round the clock, illuminating her cherished life! Dionisia you were never alone!
Yes, Dionisia, you were indeed an enviable woman! You remained independent and vivacious to the end, controlled and governed only by your righteous ways. To understand you, one had to go to the beginning and know all that you fought and resisted to be all that you were and had become! Rest in peace Mother and may your compassionate Spirit continue to dance and sing as your heart desires.
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