Nelly M. Herrera's Obituary
Nelly María Madrigal Conejo was born in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, on April 1, 1942. Her parents were Ismael Madrigal Chavarria and Ramona Conejo Delgado. She was the youngest of their 15 children. Her local parish where she received the sacraments was called “Espiritu Santo” and her childhood school was Arturo Torres of Esparza in Puntarenas.During her adult years, Nelly attended to the needs of her family and cared for her parents and older brother. Family and friends were sad to see her leave Costa Rica to be married, but accepted and supported her decision. She had earned the respect of everyone that knew her because of her many years of loyal dedication that sometimes was interpreted as willful persistence or downright stubbornness evident throughout her life.Nelly immigrated to the United States when she was 37 and married Arturo Grandados Herrera in Las Vegas on November 15, 1980. As in Costa Rica, she immediately won over the hearts of everyone by her simple, humble, loving and caring demeanor. She was never known to be ostentatious, vain or demanding and knew how to tame her husband’s fiery character with her patience and manifold qualities. Although she never had children of her own, she nurtured as many people as possible with her boundless love beginning with her step children, her step grandchildren and anyone that would be a part of her life. She shared and backed her husband’s zest for living helping him to host large parties that he enjoyed enormously and was well known for as well as traveling usually to see family or friends and accompanying him to casinos.From the moment of her arrival to San Diego, she made lifelong friendships and was a dedicated confidant to many that she befriended acting as a loving mother to everyone. The marriage to Arturo Granados Herrera was sacramentally blessed in the Catholic Church of St. Patrick in North Park, San Diego, on December 4, 1999. The entire immediate Herrera family attended the service in show of their love and support. Family and extended family parties / gatherings were standard back then as part of belonging to the Herrera family. Nelly was an affectionate and tireless caretaker of the husband she loved when he fell ill with cancer balancing her work and attending to his needs until his passing on August 14, 2003.Shortly after their marriage in 1980, Nelly endeavored to learn English and began caretaking as a career. It was something she did well because she had so much love to offer. She originally worked directly with patients in their homes, but later obtained a position at the Nazareth House Care Facility in 1987. It was not long afterward when she finished her studies and obtained a degree as a Certified Nurse’s Aide in 1989 and served in that capacity. She worked diligently at the same location for over 31 years, literally right up until her passing from this life to the next. She was very much esteemed as a dedicated, punctual and responsible employee making friends with staff and patients alike over the years. In addition, she made lasting friendships and maintained many for as long as she knew them both in and out of her field of work.Her illness and sudden steep decline in health was a surprise to everyone. She did not like to see doctors or be in hospitals, but was nonetheless admitted to the emergency care of Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego on Thursday, January 11. She was never to be released and succumbed to lymphoma cancer on Monday, January 22, at the tender age of 75. Summary: Several words that would describe Nelly: Loyal, loving, dedicated, hardworking, friendly, generous and kind.Most important aspects in her life: Her faith, marriage, work, family and friends.Her favorite hobbies, activities and past times were gardening, knitting, having different collections and enjoying time at the casino with family and friends.Her favorite music was “sonora santanera”, “paso doble” and “tropical Mexicana”.Nelly María Herrera M. was survived by 8 step children, 21 step grandchildren, 10 step great grandchildren and 7 siblings.
What’s your fondest memory of Nelly?
What’s a lesson you learned from Nelly?
Share a story where Nelly's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Nelly you’ll never forget.
How did Nelly make you smile?