Maria Teresa Siso, 79 of Holmdel, died on Wednesday, February 25^th at Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack.

Maria, ‘Tessie’ as her mom liked to call her, was born in Cuba and immigrated to the United States in 1963, initially settling in Miami before moving to West New York, where she was a graduate of Memorial High School. She enjoyed traveling especially to her second home in South Beach, Miami as well as to her husband’s birthplace, Galicia, Spain, to visit family and friends.

Maria was a source of love, happiness and support to her family. She loved everything having to do with history, cooking, her Catholic faith, technology and entertainment. Maria was very spiritual and loved nature.  She was young at heart and shared a common interest in fashion and pop culture with her two granddaughters, Gabriella and Isabella. She also shared a love of wine with her son, Juan, and of all fine things with her daughter, Elizabeth. Maria was an avid photographer and reader. She loved collecting antiques as well as refinishing fine wood furniture. Her passion for antiquities and collections led her to acquire an extensive collection of Lladros, Department 56 Christmas villages and Angels. ‘Mimi’ planted that seed in her grandchildren, starting Hallmark Ornament collections for each of them, which led to Barbies and American Girl Dolls for her princesses, Gabriella and Isabella, and Hess trucks for her boys Justin and Zachary. She loved her days in New York City enjoying dinners at her favorite restaurants and Broadway shows. She had a green thumb and grew everything with love, whether it was her beautiful flowers, plants and the herbs she used to nurture her family’s soul. She loved family gatherings and was an excellent cook. The family gravitated towards her home for birthdays, holidays and countless family celebrations. She provided her family and friends with many great Cuban and Italian dishes. Some of her favorite dishes were ‘Vaca Frita’, ‘Biftec en Cazuela’, ‘Seafood Paella’ and ‘Lasagna’. She loved dancing and enjoyed her summers in Spain with Juan Jose. Maria will be sorely missed but will live forever in our hearts.

Maria worked for many years at Charles of the Ritz before becoming a Financial Aide Specialist at Earle Grovatt Co., Matawan until the time of her retirement.

Surviving is her husband, Juan J. Siso; two children and their spouses, Elizabeth Siso Bair and her husband, Michael, of Rumson and Juan C. Siso and his wife, Adeline Figueroa Siso, Hazlet; her sister and brother-in-law, Beatrice Nogueira, MD and her husband, John Laudi, MD, her brother, Jose Enrique Nogueira; her four beloved grandchildren, Justin and his wife, Angela Siso, Gabriella Bair and her fiancé, Alex Boon van Ostade, Zachary Bair and Isabella Siso; two nieces, Sophia and Lauren Laudi; and her faithful four-legged companion, Luna Bella.

Visitation Monday, March 2^nd, 4pm until 8pm at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 S. Holmdel Road, Holmdel. Mass of Christian Burial, Tuesday, March 3^rd at 10am, St. Benedict’s RC Church, Holmdel. Entombment will follow at Holmdel Mausoleum.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family respectfully requests contributions to Maria’s favorite charity, the SPCA, 260 Wall Street, Eatontown, NJ 07724.