Obituary of Beatrice Estornell

Beatrice Estornell, 89, formerly of Sayreville, passed away on Thursday, July 25, 2024, peacefully at home surrounded by her family. Beatrice was born on February 7, 1935 in Camaguey, Cuba. In Cuba, she earned a degree in Education. Beatrice always had a passion for learning and a deep dedication to teaching children. In 1956, Beatrice and her husband, Miguel, moved to the United States for a better life for the family that they left behind as well as the family that they dreamed of starting together. Beatrice’s first job in the United States was working in a factory. Her purpose in working long, hard hours was not only to make enough money for necessities, but also to save enough in order to bring their families from Cuba, which over time they were successful in doing.

 Beatrice received her bachelor’s degree in Education from Mercy College, New York in 1971. In 1974, she graduated with her master’s degree in Student Personal Services from Montclair State University. She passionately dedicated 25 years to the children of the Newark School District as a guidance counselor and worked there for 25 years until she retired at the age of 62. Her unwavering dedication to education and her love of learning were seeds she planted in her family, nurturing a legacy of intellectual curiosity and a commitment to the pursuit of knowledge.

Beatrice cherished her family above all else. Her life was simple; her life was her family. More than anything, Beatrice enjoyed caring for and helping to raise her grandchildren, and watching them grow up into adulthood was her epitome of happiness. Beatrice shared her overabundance of love through the food she cooked, the favorite snacks she showed up with, the infamous and countless songs that she sang, her cackling burst of infectious laughter, the nightly “Que sueñes con los angelitos” she wished everyone before going to sleep, and most importantly, the lessons of family, love, strength, and kindness she taught. Beatrice treasured tending to her plants and flowers in her garden, took pride in watching and cheering on the New York Yankees, delighted in enjoying many bowls of ice cream and other sweets, was fascinated by the phases of the moon, and adored the sounds of Gloria Estefan, Celia Cruz and other Spanish music.

Beatrice is cherished in memory and survived by those who hold her dearest in their hearts: daughters Madelyn Estornell, Millie Adler (Mike) and Michelle Estornell (Eddie) and their father Miguel Estornell; grandchildren Michael, Melissa, Nicholas (Lauren), Natasha, Allison (Gary), Jaimie (Peter), Michael John, Samantha and Mariah; great-grandchildren Isabel, Brandon, Ryan, Jason, Gianna, Lyla, Mallory, Camila and Francesca; and brothers Jose Gutierrez and Angel Gutierrez.

Beatrice is now reunited in heaven with her beloved mother Ana Socarras, sister Ana Gloria Felipe, brother-in-law Rene Felipe and her “grand-dog” Bailey, embraced once more in their eternal company.

Friends and family are invited to visit on Tuesday, July 30^th, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at Freeman Manalapan Marlboro Funeral Home, 344 Route 9 North, Manalapan, NJ 07726.  A funeral liturgy will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Church on Wednesday, July 31st at 10:30AM, 380 Smith Street, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861. Entombment will follow at Rosedale Cemetery, Linden, NJ. To leave a condolence or find directions, visit www.freemanfuneralhomes