Awilda "Lily" Ayala

February 8, 2022

Awilda “Lily” Ayala Awilda Ayala 79, of Whiting NJ passed away at Shorrock Gardens on February 8th, 2022. Born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, she lived in Rutherford NJ before moving to Manchester Township in 2003. For over 60 years Lily was a beautician as well as a beautician teacher. Lily never worked a day in her life. She loved what she did. She enjoyed retirement as a fulltime beautician out of her laundry room beauty parlor. When asked if she wanted to “retire” for good, she said she would never stop, that she would not know what to do with her time, it would kill her. She loved the finished look and providing affordable work. But most of all she loved the monthly, weekly updates on the lives of all her clients. Beauty room talk that she preserved confidence with as she was a true professional of over 60 years. Lily was an avid church goer as she was a member of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church and chorus society. A joy it was to bring her grandchildren Lily and David to. The church was an extension to her family. Her final wish was for a mass in her name as we say our final goodbyes. The same church she and her husband Julian Ayala renewed their vows for their 50th wedding anniversary. Amazing as they recently celebrated 58 years of marriage. The value of caring for all was demonstrated in her volunteer work in hospice. Named New Jersey’s Hospice Volunteer of the year in 2008. At any given call Lily was right there to help friends, family and even strangers in need. A call that will be greatly missed. She lived for family. If all else fails, family is forever. She lived for the nurturing of her children and grandbabies. Caring through meals. Meals that were labor of love such as pasteles at Christmas, or even French-toast every Oct 3 for her son David. Most of all, we all shared her love for the kitchen. Meals that all had purpose, reason, “rules.” A cookbook for generations made from the flick of her wrist or a pinch of a seasoning that no one else can measure the same. Her recipes live on through the verbiage and photos shared. A preservation created the best we can without her in the kitchen. Lily loved her “words” words with friends which we know as scrabble. A game that she was an avid player of. Brain stimulation to say the least. Funny words shared with laughter. She also loved her books. The turning of paper pages. Rereading a story or sharing a book. She was also known for her newspaper clippings. Comic illustrations for her son David and Good Housekeeping clipping for her daughter in law Brianna who has the pleasure of receiving such subscriptions regularly. She would state that all life hacks are from Good Housekeeping. Her multitasking of nightly poker and TV programs, her love of sweet wines of Moscato and Manischewitz, her sentiment of making French Toast every 10/3 in honor of her son Davids birthday, her rolodex of ever ending addresses and phone numbers is few of the quintessential Lily’s that will endlessly remind us of her. Lily is most recognized for her love of dance. Salsa dancing with her husband at any given time, a love that was demonstrated so clearly. In fact, she recently had her husband pull to the side of the road. She had the urge to dance as the music ran through her body. The love for each other was undeniable as we all have witnessed them dance the dance that they have practiced for over 60 years. Her forever dance partner. Throughout retirement and well into her 70’s Lily was also a Belly Dancer in which she had also put on performances with an amazing group of friends. A dance she had been teaching her youngest granddaughter Lily over the years. Penny slots in Atlantic City. Evening wind downs on online poker. The light that shined in her eyes, the climatic tone of her celebratory voice. A game that was always shared with her son David. The fun banter on betting pennies in poker. Penny slots on the wolverine machine, a go to for her. Lily was an adventurer. She shared her husband's love for his Harley. His forever riding partner. With her leather on, they would ride everywhere, from the Appalachian Mountains to the Grand Canyon. Lily and her husband Julian even drove across the county on route 66 while in their 70’s, a bucket list. Pitching a tent, seeing national monuments, and exploring the USA. A trip to never forget. Lily lived a full life. She raised her children and grandchildren to the fullest. Lily, a few days before her passing, had a strong yearning to see her brother and mother’s resting place. As she became emotional, we reassured her that we would take her to their graves. She is now with her brothers and mother as well as many family members before them. May she rest in eternal peace. She will live on through her legacy of memories. We shall preserve our memories of her as she preserved her mother’s plants for the last two decades. She is predeceased by her father Pedro Navarro, mother Justina Gonzales, brother Pedro Navarro "Junior," brother Hector Navarro. Granddaughter Janelle Almodovar Survived by her husband Julian Ayala; her son Richard Ayala, Steven Ayala and his wife Lauren Ayala, daughter Joelle Almodovar, son David Ayala and his wife Brianna Ayala; her Grandchildren Anthony Ayala, Peter Ayala, Nicholas Ayala, Julian Ayala, John Scheideler, Justina Scheideler, Lisette Almodovar, Jesse Ayala, Lily Ayala, David Ayala Jr, Ashton Ayala. Great grandchildren Jackson Ayala, Hunter Ayala, Addison Ayala Live days full; fulfill your bucket list, Live days enough, place a penny bet, give loved ones a tighter hug, a meal, or a dance in honor of “mom” “Lily” “Grandmommy” Awilda Ayala A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Friday, February 18, 2022 at 10:45 am at the All Saints Chapel of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton RC Church, 30 Schoolhouse Road, Whiting. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 9:30am to 10:30am Friday morning. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions directly to the Ayala family in Lily's memory.