Obituary of Andrea Alvarado

Andrea Alvarado of Jamaica, Queens, NY, died Thursday, Dec.  28th, 2017 at South Nassau Communities Hospital at 1 am. She was 90 years old. Born on October 5th, 1927 in Puerto Rico, she was the younger daughter of Maria De La Paz Romero and Joaquin Aguirre.  She completed nursing school in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, and came to NY thereafter.  At age 29, she married Alfredo Alvarado.  They were married for 27 years until his death when she was 56.  

    Throughout her marriage, she was proud to work hard every chance she could so that she could provide a good education to her 2 children, Alfredo and Brunilda.  Andrea also helped raise her stepdaughter, Elfrida.  As a widow, Andrea continued to work hard as a pediatric nurse during the week and in nursing homes on the weekends. Andrea retired from nursing after 25+ years but did not retire from work. She was always looking for ways to earn money, "...just to have it".  She was very frugal and did not lavish herself with the latest of anything. She took on working as a teacher assistant in preschool programs and daycare centers. She eventually opened her home to a daycare program and enjoyed having her home filled with children, which she said made her feel young.  As a senior citizen, she had no interest in socializing with other seniors unless she really had to. On the weekends, she taught religious education to kindergarten students, and enjoyed visits to Baldwin to spend time with her grandchildren, Corinne and David. They were her pride and joy.  She supported them emotionally and financially so they could achieve their educational goals. They enjoyed very much laughing together and teasing one another.

     Andrea's faith guided and sustained her in her later years.  Corinne and David could always rely on her to pray for them during stressful times, and she would reassure them that all would be ok.  Fiercely independent, she entered old age emotionally kicking and screaming. After her first serious stroke , she literally could kick no more, and entered a nursing home where she spent the last few years.  Visits to the nursing home were hard. Dementia clouded her judgement, and she would ask why she could not go home. 

     Anyone who knew Andrea as a mother, knew she excelled at being critical to no end. Following the birth of her grandchildren, she morphed into a supportive and fun mother and grandmother.  She leaves behind her children (Alfredo, Brunilda), stepdaughter (Elfrida), grandchildren (Corinne, David), half sister (Nidia Martinez), nieces (Edith Serrano, Karen Martinez, Elizabeth Martinez), and nephews (Jose Serrano, Israel Serrano). 

Visiting hours will be Monday, January 1 from 2-5 / 7-9 at Fox Funeral Home, Inc., 98-07 Ascan Avenue, Forest Hills, NY.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held 10:00 am on Tuesday, January 2 at St. Christopher's Church, 11 Gale Street, Baldwin, NY.  Burial will be in Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton on Tuesday, January 2.

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