Aurea Rosa Hernandez Jewa

Aurea Rosa Hernandez Jewa passed away peacefully of natural causes on March 8, 2026, in New York City. Born on August 5, 1925, in the lush mountains of Cayey, Puerto Rico, she lived a remarkable 100 years marked by unwavering dedication to her family, her culture, and the pursuit of knowledge.

Though her formal education ended after middle school as she helped on her family’s farm, Aurea’s love of learning never faded. After moving to New York, she attended night school to master English while raising her own family. An avid reader, she carefully protected each book with a handmade cover and passed her deep respect for the written word on to her children. A gifted seamstress, she worked with remarkable speed and precision on her Singer sewing machine, creating everything from lively Halloween costumes to elegant church garments. In the kitchen, she prepared traditional Puerto Rican dishes such as arroz con pollo alongside Malaysian curry chicken entirely from memory, and her elaborate Thanksgiving meals were legendary. She also cared for her family with homemade remedies and gentle nurturing.

A proud Puerto Rican American, Aurea exercised her right to vote with pride well into her centenarian years and encouraged others to do the same. She found joy in tending her beloved plants, singing to them in a clear, melodic voice, and filling her home with the sounds of boleros and salsa—music she once danced to with her beloved husband, Amat Jewa, who predeceased her. She played softball in her youth, remained a loyal supporter of the Mets, and lived her Christian faith through song and quiet example, guided by the spirit of giving embodied in the words of St. Francis of Assisi.

Aurea is survived by her son Jimmy Jewa, her daughter Miriam Jewa, her grand-niece Arlene Ambert, her great-grandnephew Mario Hevia, and many nieces and nephews. As the last surviving sibling among her nine brothers and sisters, she leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, humility, and grace that will continue to inspire all who knew her.