Angelita Aviles

Angelita (Mama) Aviles was born in Aibonito, Puerto Rico, January 10, 1926, and died on February 20, 2026. "Mama!" Mama is a powerful word in our famiy. Our Mama, was a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and surrogate grandmother to all of our family, extended family and friends.  She loved everyone and everyone loved her. She was a force of nature that could not and would not be ignored, small but mighty!

Mama came to the States in 1950 with her two young children, first to New York City, and finally settled in Jersey City, NJ in 1957.  Though she left Puerto Rico, Borinquen was always first in her heart. Her favorite song was "En Mi Viejo San Juan."

Angelita was a creative soul. She loved to sew. She was a seamstress during all of her working life, and a member of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union. She loved to paint, color, and craft. She especially enjoyed making jewelry. She loved gardening. Her green thumb was magic and could make anything grow and thrive. 

Mama loved to cook and feed everyone. That was her love language. She was happiest sitting around a dining table with family and any one else who could join her, because everyone was welcome. She loved music, from salsa and merengue to classical, or as she referred to it, "the music with no words." She loved to dance.  Her favorite memory was of her father, Ramon taking her and her sister, Gloria, out dancing on Saturday nights, one on each arm. But more than anything, she loved her family!

Angelita is survived by two children and their spouses, Manuel (Junior) Norat and his wife Acté, Ada Egar and her spouse Mary.  She had four grandchildren: John, Anissa, the late, Thomas, and Eric. She had eleven great-grandchildren: Bianca, Evan, Ean, Paloma, Oliviya, Joey, Luke, Ashling, Aidan, Daisy, and Annabelle. She is also survived by her brother Raymond Aviles, and by many loving nieces and nephews.  

Visitation is Thursday, February 26, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Riotto Funeral Home & Cremation Company, 3205 John F. Kennedy Blvd. Jersey City.  For GPS navigation, it is best to use our parking lot address: 14 Stagg Street).  Funeral is Friday, February 27, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM at the funeral home. Funeral mass is at 11:00 AM at Holy Rosary Church, 344 6th Street, Jersey City.  Private cremation will follow.