Obituary of Bienvenida Medina

Bienvenida “Bennie”  Medina, 79, of Old Bridge passed away at Raritan Bay Medical Center, Perth Amboy. She was born in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, moved to New York at 17 years of age, and eventually settled in New Jersey. Bennie was a self-employed beautician who took great pride in her work. She had many trades that she used to support her family. She was an amazing mother to all children - loving, generous, and warm hearted. Bennie was an extraordinary cook with many signature dishes; Arroz con pollo, pasteles, and pollo guisado being crowd favorites. All who knew Bennie came with a pen and paper for her recipes. She was a home keeper; she loved to garden especially growing her own vegetables in her backyard. Bennie was a “fix it yourself” independent woman.

She is survived by her two daughters, Debbie Ilahi and her husband, Shafkat of Long Island, NY and Jeannie Solano-Rodriguez and her husband Joseph of Freehold, NJ; five grandchildren, Jessica, Aisha, Imran, Danielle, and Rachel; and two great grandchildren,  Lia and Cannon.

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Sunday, March 11, 2018 from 2:00 to 6:00 PM.  Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home on Monday, March 12, 2018 at 10:30 AM for the procession to her 11:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 16 McLean Street, Freehold.  Interment will follow in St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery, 299 Freehold Englishtown Road, Freehold Township.  For those who desire, donations in memory of Bennie may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Way, Memphis, TN 38105.  For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com