From the New Jersey years.
There are many memories of Helen, Ariel, Nelly and Arielito. We met in the eighties in St. Mary's of the Assumption Church, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. When they went to the Marriage Encounter weekend, we took care of Arielito.
We also remember Nelly's sweet 15 party and we have several photos from that happy occasion.
They always liked to explore new places and they invited us to go to Battleview Orchards, Freehold, New Jersey, on two occasions. One to pick strawberries and another one to pick peaches. The children were very little then. Our daughter was about 5 years old. Nelly was about 7 or so. Arielito was maybe 3. Little did we know that in 2014 we would move 10 minutes away from Battleview Orchards in Freehold, NJ. Every time, we visit the place, we think of the Nunez and those happy days.
We also went once to pick up clams at the Sandy Hook Beach, NJ. We brought the clams home and my mother, who lived with us for 30 years, cooked them and Ariel and Helen were so happy with our catch and my mother's unique and almost magical cooking skills. Ariel and Helen never ceased to praise my mother's cooking.
Then they moved to Connecticut. We went to visit them there on a weekend with my mother also coming along. My mother loved them all very much. They were like family to us. We visited many historical places in the area and even went with them to Massachusetts. We had such a wonderful time with them.
As it happens in these cases of moving away, we stopped seeing each other since the nineties. However, we kept in touch at least for the Christmas time when we exchanged greeting cards and also kept in touch through the phone. They always sent us their new home address with a photo of the house. I still have some of those in my phone book.
Helen was such a sweet human being. We never saw her angry. A sweet smile on her face was her trademark. She was patient and kind to everyone. Never heard her talk about anyone else. She had a warm and loving heart. They also had such a beautiful marriage relationship. We truly admired their love for each other. They were a model example of a true loving marriage. She was enthusiastic and loved making plans to visit and explore new places.
We will truly miss her, but we know she is in a better place now! We are praying for her eternal rest and send our love and deepest condolences to Ariel, the children and her grandchildren.
Rest in peace dear Helen. We thank God for having met you in this life and hope to encounter you in Heaven the day our turn comes to depart form this life to enter the true life in Heaven that we are sure the Lord is rewarding you with right now.
