Lilia Ondina Escobar

Lilia “Nani” Ondina Escobar, age 96, a longtime resident of Albuquerque was welcomed to heaven on Tuesday, December 8th, 2020. She was born on October 25th, 1924 in Holguin, Cuba to Aida Martinez and Adalberto Pena. Lilia was a family woman and would do anything and everything she could for her loved ones. She immigrated from Cuba with her late husband and four children in 1964 to escape the Castro Regime. In search of freedom from communism and for “The American Dream” she and her husband joined their eldest son, Jose who ended up in Albuquerque after fleeing Cuba with the Catholic Church in 1961 (3 years prior to her arrival). Lilia and her husband never took their freedom for granted and worked hard to provide for their children. Coming to this country in her 40’s there was a quick learning curve to learn the English language. She got her first job doing alterations at “Aldo’s Men’s Alterations” in downtown Albuquerque. After starting off there, she then got a job at the famous upscale department store, Kistler Collister and started as a seamstress. Before fully learning English, she would copy a ticket, bring it home so the kids would translate what alterations needed to be done, and would then go to work extra early the next morning to finish the job. After a long day of work, she would go home to make dinner for her family. Once dinner was done and the kids bathed and in bed, she would start on anything needed for the family business “Escobar’s Antiques” which was run by her husband, Jose. She did all of the sewing for the reupholstering part of the business. Having a true gift and passion for her craft, she was without a doubt a World Class Seamstress. After working at Kistler Collister for many years, she was promoted to head seamstress and retired after more than 20 years of service.

When she left her native country of Cuba, she had to leave everything to the government and came with little money, a couple suitcases filled with necessities and her prized possessions...her pictures. Anyone that has had the pleasure of knowing this gentle but feisty ball of energy - know her pictures were her “treasures.” Upon entering her home, it was evident of her love of photos of her family. Her own version of the Smithsonian, she had shelving unit after shelving unit of framed photos of a collection that kept growing. Nani was not only an amazing cook, but she also loved sweets and was a lover of music. She always had music on and was quite the dancer. She was a huge fan of Javier Solis, Julio Iglesias, and Gloria Estefan - just to name a few. She shared that after leaving Cuba whenever the song “Guatanamera” would come on, she would cry because she missed her extended family that stayed behind. She and her husband were the first of the entire family to come to the United States and they paved the way for their siblings and parents to follow suit. They saved money and helped their relatives get the opportunity to join them in this amazing country that was now considered “home.” Nani took pride in everything she did. She enjoyed taking care of her yard, she was a lover of plants and fresh flowers and let’s not forget the sweet tooth she had. Nani was also a loyal patron of Sandia Casino, which dates back to bingo tent days! She never wasted anything! Holidays with her family were always very special to her. It goes without saying she made out like a bandit with all of the wrapping paper and tissue paper she saved from opening gifts. She opened packages “the right way” with scissors and it would be painful for her to watch someone open an envelope by ripping it open and not using a proper letter opener. She was all about recycling, a believer that you could eat anything you wanted but in moderation and would do anything for her fellow neighbor. She loved visitors and played a big part in raising some of her grandchildren. Always a fan of a handwritten note or thank you, she took pride in those special things and was known to send them out often. She was organized and meticulous, patient and nurturing, sweet and determined, genuine and stubborn, and always found a way to accomplish anything that needed done.

She is proceeded in death by her late husband, Jose Escobar; son, Jose “Joselin” Escobar Jr., granddaughter, Janice Vertrees; sister, Ofelia Dominicis; and sister, Lidia Mendez.

She is survived by her son, Jorge and wife, Cathy; daughter, Mayra Vertrees and her husband, Robert Weaver; son, Juan Carlos and daughter, Maria Lommori and husband, Don. Her grandchildren, Jennifer Vertrees and partner, Johnny “Juanito” Rodriguez, Lesley Escobar, Andrew Rubi and partner, Marissa Delgado, Lindsay Lommori and partner, Cesar Gomez, Jessica Lommori, Heather Rhodes and husband, Travis, Adrienne Klusmeyer and husband, Chris, Anthony Escobar and Joshua Escobar. Her great-grandchildren, Jonathan Whiteley, Jordan Whiteley, Julian Willard, Brinley Hewett, Christian Klusmeyer, Avah Rubi, Theo Rhodes, Boone Rhodes, Jesse Rhodes, Isaiah Gomez, Ace Klusmeyer and Noah Rubi. She is also survived by her sister, Onelia De Quesada; sister, Hortensia Abreu and husband, Jose Ramon; sister, Laura Martinez and by many nieces and nephews.

When she was recently asked what advice, she would give in her 96 years on the planet, she said “Always be honest with yourself, always tell the truth and don’t be a liar. Be a nice person, be honest and that will do it for life. With your family and with yourself.”

Her sweet accent and her dramatic nature will be sorely missed. For such a small woman, her personality, facial expressions, and charisma were as she would say “Out of this World.” When she lost her son in 1995, she was never the same and almost died of a broken heart. Not a day went by where she didn’t mourn this great loss and we are comforted to know they have been reunited.

Nani you will be forever in our hearts! We thank you for the sacrifices you made to give the entire family a better life. Your laughter, fun loving nature, work ethic and enormous heart will live within all of us and all of those you have encountered for eternity.

...Mas Te Quiero Yo!

Memorial donations may be made in Lilia's name to The Cancer Foundation.

The viewing is available via webcam, and the link to the live-stream broadcast will be accessible by clicking here: http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/42672

Burial to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.