Mercedes Cotos

Mrs. Mercedes Alfaro Cotos, 77, entered the arms of the Lord unexpectedly on Thursday, May 25, 2023, when she passed away in Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

We respectfully request that no one arrive at the funeral home prior to the posted visitation times, so as not to intrude on the family’s private time. 

Family and friends are invited to the visitation in the Kowalski Funeral Home, 515 Roselle Street, Linden on Friday, June 9th. from 4:00-8:00PM.  On Saturday, June 10th. at 10:00AM, everyone will start to gather in the funeral home where a prayer service will begin at 10:30AM.  The prayers of committal will precede Mrs. Cotos’s burial in the family plot in Rosedale Cemetery in Linden, New Jersey.

Mercedes, the daughter of the late Rosa Mercedes Munar Alfaro and the late Oscar Alfaro, was born in Callao, Peru.  She came to the United States on April 7, 1973, and Mercedes immediately settled in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where she has resided with her family to this day.

In the early days, Mercedes had been employed as a newscaster in the Spanish language for WADO as well as CNN, under the Radio Vision Christiana banner.  She had her own show in its recurring time slot where Mercedes had many responsibilities, including being both the producer and the broadcaster.  Mercedes then made a complete turnaround in her career choice as she became a professional nanny, employed by Nanny Plus.  This endeavor would bloom into a 25-year occupation span, caring for the little children that she adored and loved so much, until her well-deserved retirement began in 2021.

Throughout her life, Mercedes was an avid shopper, which when mentioned would bring a lot of chuckles throughout the family.  However, it seemed a fitting trait because she loved to be stylishly dressed, always put together and made the effort to present herself to the world as a dignified, hardworking, and intelligent lady.  Mercedes also had an artistic side that enabled her to let her spirits soar.  She was very enthusiastic about her arts and crafts creations and her singing and dancing were legendary.  Her delightful spirit found her laughing at the movies she liked best; comedies and romantic comedies.  Mercedes’ passion was baking, and she was well known for all her delicious delicacies.  Her skills were so honed that she was even capable of designing, baking and decorating wedding cakes and Mercedes did so on several occasions.  When Mercedes needed a bit of solitude, she sought refuge in her garden attending to her colorful flowers as she kept a watchful eye over the maple tree that she planted so many years ago.   

She was predeceased by her four siblings, Oscar Alfaro, Teresa Nightingale, Rosa Trujillo and Clara Acuna.

Mercedes is survived by her husband of fifty-six years, Jorge L. Cotos; her three children, Giovanna Mediros and her husband, Douglas, Erik Cotos and Kathleen Cotos; her brothers and sisters, Rosa Ysabel Miranda, Pedro Alfaro and Guillermo Alfaro; her three grandchildren, Justin Halili, Katelyn Hernandez and Lola Cotos and her great grandson, Manuel Garcia and Mercedes’ many nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends.

Mercedes, the center of life for her family, was a woman of many talents and facets and she had an abundance of love for everyone in her circle. She was the strongest and most positive woman and never let anyone see her without a smile.  Mercedes had a zest for life and everyone who met her, even for a moment, felt her warmth.  She will be deeply missed but Mercedes will never be forgotten.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.