Teresa Aguillon, 86, of Clifton passed away the afternoon of October 28, 2023. Dear sister of Gilberto Aguillon, beloved mother of Jairo, Jeannette, Nestor and Lenny, "Abuelita" to six grandchildren, and great grandmother to three. Teresita, Tere, or Tia as she was also affectionately known, was born in San Gil, Colombia. Ever fearless, she immigrated to the United States in 1970, guided by her undeniable drive to persevere and make a better life for herself and her family.

Teresa never shied away from work and was known to manage more than one side-hustle before they were even a thing, selling anything from cookware to jewelry and fine clothing to neighbors and friends. Always up to tackle any challenge and gifted with a natural savviness, Teresa would climb from humble beginnings as a seamstress in Paterson's steamiest factories, through night school to master a new language, to eventually thriving as a real estate saleswoman. She found her niche helping newly immigrated families find their first homes and settle down, taking great joy in helping others achieve their dreams like she did hers.

That passion for helping others led Teresa to her second calling later in life as an educator of young children. Starting as a teacher's assistant, she returned to school to earn a Child Development Associate certification so she could be a positive role model for her young students.

At home, Teresa was also a beloved Abuelita to Jairito, Johnny, Jonathan, James, Marky and Lea. Hosting sleepovers and making special pancakes on weekend mornings, she played a major role in each of their lives, and will be sorely missed.

Teresa is predeceased by her siblings Carmencita Aguillon, Elsa Perez, Lucila Gamboa, Matilde Aguillon, Alicia Aguillon, Flor Bayona and Alfonso Aguillon.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2023 from 2-6 p.m. at the Shook Funeral Home, 639 Van Houten Ave., Clifton, with a prayer service beginning at 5:15 p.m. Cremation was private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (http://www.stjude.org), in Teresa's memory.