Maria Olga Perez

Belleville, NJ– Maria Olga Perez-Pernas, a devoted wife, loving mother, and doting "Abuela" or "Aba", passed away on June 10, 2023.

Born in Lugo, Spain to José Ramón Pernas Bermúdez and María Hortas Pena, Olga grew up in Spain the youngest of her siblings, which included her beloved sisters, Dora, Lita, Pura, Nieves, Conce, and her dear brothers, Paco, Pepe, Ramón, and Alfonso, as well as several siblings who passed away prior to her birth. Olga became a Catholic nun in Spain prior to emigrating to the United States to help her brother Alfonso with his restaurant in Hillside, NJ. There she met her future husband, Ramiro Perez, who was Alfonso's chef and also a fellow Spaniard from Medal, Spain, not very far from where Olga grew up! Their love blossomed and soon they were married. They opened up a restaurant of their own called, Spanish Manor, in Newark, NJ. They sold the restaurant when they started a family and had their daughter, Maria Perez, and their son, Ramiro Alfonso Perez, setting up roots in Belleville, NJ. In 2006, her dear husband Ramiro passed away, but she persevered - tough and resilient as always - values she instilled in her children. Through Olga's love and dedication to her children, they were able to both go to college and become a teacher and attorney, respectively. Olga was incredibly proud of the life she had built for her children, and the life they've been able to provide for her grandchildren.

Olga had a passion for cooking that knew no bounds. Her kitchen was always a haven of mouthwatering aromas and delicious creations such as pulpo a la gallega, lentejas, caldo gallego, callos, fabada, almejas rellenas, camarones al ajillo, flan, torta de manzana, and her many beautifully prepared holiday meals. Her culinary skills were unrivaled, and she took great pleasure in preparing meals for her loved ones. The memories of gathering around the table, savoring her delectable dishes, will forever be etched in the hearts and taste buds of those fortunate enough to have experienced her cooking. Olga also loved music and dancing, a love which she instilled in her children, who both took up orchestra - playing violin and viola, respectively, dance classes, theater, and choir. Olga could often be heard belting out a Spanish tune while cooking one of her wonderful meals. Olga found solace and joy in fishing with her husband, and going to the beach with her children at Sandy Hook. She embraced the peacefulness of the ocean and the thrill of the catch. Fishing provided her with a connection to nature and a sense of tranquility that she treasured. The memories of those beach days with her family will forever hold a special place in the hearts of her loved ones.

Olga leaves behind two children - Maria and her partner Jason H. Eguiguren I, parents of Sophia Eguiguren and Jason H. Eguiguren II, her grandchildren; Ramiro and his partner Amy Farr, parents of Rowan Maria Farr-Perez and Breogan Theodore Farr-Perez, her grandchildren. Olga will be forever missed, but her memory will live on through the family she established, bravely and selflessly, in a new country, with a new language, far from everything she had known. May God continue to bless her and her family and may she rest in eternal peace.

Visitation on Friday, June 16, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Levandoski-Grillo Funeral Home, 44 Bay Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ. A Catholic Prayer Service will commence at 12:00 p.m.   Interment will follow at Glendale Cemetery, Bloomfield.