Obituary of Cristina Alvarez

Cristina Alvarez (nee Perez), 84, of Fairview, NJ, born October 10, 1937 in Ranchuelo, Villa Clara Province, Cuba, passed into eternity following a short illness on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. Cristina left her beloved Cuba with her husband and then only two young daughters in search of a brighter future for her family. She loved telling stories of growing up in Ranchuelo where she was surrounded by her large family. It was clear to all who met her that she had left part of her heart back in Cuba. Cristina was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and neighbor who always put others first. She welcomed guests from all over the globe, who she made sure were well fed and taken care of while in her home. She will be remembered for her hospitality, her generosity, and for her incredible work ethic. Cristina was a familiar face in 1980’s Bergenline Avenue in Union City, when she worked retail at Stretch-A-Dollar and later at the ABC Store. Cristina was industrious and perpetually prepared for whatever life threw at her. There was never anything she didn’t account for. If you needed something done, she’d have just the tool for the job. She was a woman of many talents—a self-taught seamstress who was generous with her gifts, proudly dressing her daughters, her grandchildren, and countless friends with the lovely garments she made. She was also a magnificent cook who took great pleasure in feeding her loved ones; that was her true love language. Charitable with her time, she helped bring comfort to many friends and loved ones when they were ill or going through a particularly hard time. She was never idle, and always found something to do that would be of help to those around her. Cristina was an avid watcher of telenovelas, and would love to engage in conversations about them with her neighbors, even if she couldn’t remember all of the characters’ names. She insisted that all should watch “Caso Cerrado,” because, “How else would they know the kind of crazy stuff going on in the world today?” Any suggestion that the show was scripted would be promptly dashed, instantly making it a taboo subject. She was exceedingly patient with her grandchildren, often letting them get away with things she never would have tolerated from her daughters. They were her true treasures in life. Cristina was predeceased by her husband, Guillermo, her parents, Ramón and Maria Perez (nee Molina), siblings Ana, Ramón, Genaro, Alfredo, Caridad, José, Angel, and Tania. She is survived by her three beloved daughters Maria (Raf) Azria, Isabel Alvarez, and Patricia (Frank) Laba, as well as her seven loving grandchildren Ryan Falkenberg, Cristina (Collin) Wilson, Joseph Falkenberg, Nicholas Falkenberg, Eve Laba, Sofia Laba, and Frank Laba III, one great-granddaughter, Thea Wilson, and siblings Zoraida (Anel) Perez and Xiomara (Pedro) Alvarez. There will be a brief private viewing for family and close friends at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 18, 2022 at Joseph Z. Konopka Funeral Home, 9046 Palisade Ave, North Bergen, NJ. Following the viewing, a Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Roman Catholic Church, 395 Delano Pl, Fairview, NJ 07022. Entombment to follow at Fairview Mausoleum, 501 Bergenwood Rd, Fairview, NJ. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Cristina’s name.