Rosa Aviles

Ms. Rosa “Mita” Aviles, 97, entered the arms of the Lord surrounded by her cherished and devoted family on Friday, October 20, 2023.

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 Thursday, October 26th. from 4:00-8:00PM.  On Friday, October 27th. at 8:30AM, everyone will start to gather in the funeral home where a prayer service will begin at 9:00AM, followed by the funeral mass to be offered in St. Elizabeth Roman Catholic Church in Linden at 10:00AM.  The prayers of committal will precede Mita’s burial in the family plot in St. Gertrude Cemetery in Colonia, New Jersey. 

Mita, the daughter of Esmeralda Alvarez and Andres Aviles, was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico.  She came to the mainland United States in 1975 and Mita resided in Newark, New Jersey before settling in Roselle, New Jersey in January 1991.

Mita was the typical matriarch of the family…..stern but loving, a dynamo when necessary, respectful, while teaching manners and respect and showering everyone with love.

Usually a quiet lady, Mital loved peace, tranquility and nature and often sought those things in her pursuit of gardening.  Her flowers were plentiful, colorful, and fragrant, especially her favorite – jasmine.  Mita thoroughly enjoyed cooking, but more so the art of feeding people.  Even as she aged and perhaps was not up to the task, Mita would send her daughter, Nimia, into the kitchen to ensure that the favorite recipes were always on the table and more so, that no one left the home with an empty belly.  Mita enjoyed the company and attention of the four household cats and the two tiny dachshunds.  They were always a source of entertainment and love for her.  Above all, Mita reveled in being the constant babysitter.  She loved to take care of her grandchildren and her inherited grandchildren.  They in turn, were blessed to have the devotion and care that only a woman like Mita could possess.  Her family meant the world to her!  There was nothing that gave Mita greater joy than to spend time with any one of them or all of them, whether it was a big partylike celebration, or a quiet afternoon relaxing in the backyard.  The world stood still when she was with them.

Predeceased by her granddaughter, Mayra Guadarrama, Mita is survived by her daughter, with whom she made her home, Nimia Valencia and her husband, Juan; her son, Esteban Guadarrama and his wife, Juia Serrano; her seven grandchildren, Odemaris Valencia and her spouse, Renee Kovalik, John Valencia, Isamar Bonny and her husband, Jeff, Brenda L. Guadarrama, MD and her husband, Nicolas Hanabergh, MD, Ileana Guadarrama, Bernices Guadarrama, Esteban Guadarrama and his wife, Maria Andujar, her ten great grandchildren and her many neighbors.

Mita was the guiding light that burned ever so brightly for her family.  Hearts are now broken, and tears fill their eyes, as this important light in their lives is now dimmed.  Mita was a very special woman…..one of a kind!  She will be deeply missed, but Mita will never be forgotten.

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