Tributes

Nilda Monserrate Falero peacefully passed from this life on Saturday March 5, 2022 8:45 pm in Rancho Mirage, California, surrounded by her children and husband of 71 years. Nilda was born on February 2, 1930 (birth name Monserrate Bisbal Ellin,) and until age 11 (1941) she was in a small home in the barrio of Ensenada, steps from the sand and blue water near the now world famous "Tres Palmas" Marine Reserve (and surf break.) She would walk from her home through green countryside to her grade school in the Municipality of Rincon, near the westernmost tip of the island of Puerto Rico. Her Father Juan Bisbal ran a small grocery store, supplementing his income by a bit of farming and ocean fishing in a small boat he kept on site. Juan was also a musician: a guitarist whose talents were in demand at house parties, rich and poor. This was not lost on his children, and Nilda always had a basket full of maracas, guiros, claves and other instruments available for whomever would grace her doorstep. Her mother Juana Ellin kept house and supplemented her income with sewing piecework. Nilda's favorite memories include learning at the laps of her mother and maternal grandmother Eugenia Hernandez (then widowed of Jose Ellin.) There were games and fun and tears with her sisters Estelle, Genoveva, and little sister Alicia. Her paternal grandparents, Monserrate Matias and Sinforoso Bisbal by then had passed. All grandparents grew up nearby as well. There was plenty of mischief at the beach with her brother Raoul. Her memories of older brothers Raymond and Louis were of men who sacrificed for the family by going to America early to help the family's fortune, taking over for the loving hand of her late father as best they could. Love and harmony is what she remembers of that household. After her father's untimely death from pneumonia at a young age, Nilda took a steamship with her mother and siblings to a new life in New York City (NYC) where she landed in 1941. As everyone in the household contributed, Nilda took on the role as family chef, gradually earning her fame among family and friends. Some of the family recipes she first learned were passed on to her children, and she expanded her cuisine into dishes of other cultures throughout her lifetime. She graduated from Jane Addams Vocational High School on January 25, 1950, and on January 30, 1950 received a Certificate of Cosmetology from the State of New York. At St. Anselm's Church on Tinton Avenue, NYC, she married Frank S Falero, brother of Serafín (aka 'Ralph') Falero who was the best friend of her own brother Raoul, on June 3, 1951. Daughter Sonia Jean Falero was born 9/19/1952 followed by son Robert Lloyd Falero 7/22/1954. Following the best friends, brothers Serafín and Raoul, the family left NYC for California where they settled in January 1960. Youngest son Jeffrey Steven Falero was born in Orange County, CA on 4/25/66. Nilda found joy visiting and entertaining (and cooking for) friends and family, volunteering at the jewelry counter of the local St Vincent de Paul Catholic charity, museums, hiking and camping. She and Frank moved north after the year 2000 living in the City of Nipomo, (San Luis Obispo county), and they also bought a small condo in the City of Pembroke Pines, Florida, where she could be near her aging sisters for half of the year. Later they moved further north to San Leandro (Alameda county) and Rohnert Park (Sonoma county.) She finally retired to Palm Desert, CA. She is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren Natalie Jean Falero and Vivian Maria Falero (and her daughter in law Valentina Montaldo Falero.) If you are interested in discounted ($79/night) lodging to attend the planned services, use the following link: https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/days-inn/san-diego-california/days-inn-san-diego-hotel-circle/rooms-rates?&checkInDate=05/03/2022&checkOutDate=05/06/2022&groupCode=050322YTF . Alternatively, call the hotel at (619) 297-8800 between 10 am - 5 pm Monday - Friday, ask for the 'Sales Team' and mention the "Nilda Funeral Rate."

Tributes

Mrs Nilda Monserrate Falero

February 2, 1930 - March 5, 2022