Manuela Rubio

Manuela "Nellie" Rubio lived her life for her family. She was hardworking, yet sensitive and particular about the way that she liked things. She was a loving and hardworking daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and sister who will be greatly missed by those she leaves behind.

Nellie's story began on January 17, 1951 in Eagle Pass, TX. Although this was a time of financial struggle for her parents, Antonio and Enedina

(Leyva) Hernandez rejoiced in the birth of their fourth child. Antonio worked as a construction worker to support his family which continued to grow when Nellie was later joined by five more siblings which rounded out their large clan.

Nellie grew up in Brownfield, TX, a very small town which had few restaurants at the time. She grew up Catholic and learned a strong work ethic as everyone in their family did their part to make ends meet. When she was in her teens her family owned a family restaurant which set the stage not only for the family to be able to work together, but also to build lasting family memories.

Nellie followed her sister Maria to Holland, MI when she was in her early 20's. She was pregnant with her first child and intrigued by a change in location and the ability to take advantage of more plentiful work.

Nellie thought she would receive a spectacular Christmas present when her water broke during the Christmas Eve mass; however it was not to be. Her precious daughter Michelle was not born until a few days later on December 30, 1972. Nellie embraced her new role as mother immediately and she brought her baby home to her first lovely apartment, located above some stores in downtown Holland.

Nellie supported herself and her new young daughter while she worked at Chris Craft, a well - known boat manufacturer. Being a single mother in Holland was not very easy.

After a few years Nellie was able to get a job at Herman Miller, a furniture manufacturer located in Zeeland, MI in 1976. There she would spend the next nearly 30 years working.

Nellie not only enjoyed her work at the factory but was proud to say she was a Herman Miller employee. She loved her co-workers at Custom Choices departartment. Nellie laughed, learned and even cried with her co-workers.

Nellie's life was greater enriched when she was introduced to a fine man named Adan Rubio by some friends in 1989. The two were quickly smitten with each other and they went on to become husband and wife in 1991. When Nellie married Adan, she not only gained a husband, but also his son, Rigoberto, whom she loved and treated as her very own.

She was firm about the things she believed in and the way she wanted things done, always making sure people would know exactly where she stood.

There was no role that Nellie loved more than that of grandmother. She embraced her ability to spoil her grandkids rotten. She loved pointing out that moms have to say "no", but grandmas get to say, "yes!"

Nellie was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer which she battled for the last year of her life. Even with her diagnosis, Nellie still lived her life for others. When her pastor came to visit her and offer prayer on her behalf, her requests were still not about her.

Her requests were for prayer for her family and friends. This selflessness even in her last, difficult days was not surprising to her family at all.

This is how Nellie lived; this is what she was all about.

Manuela "Nellie" Rubio was an extraordinary, strong woman who lived life to its fullest. She was always sacrificing herself for others, even up to her last days. Her life was one that was not always easy, but always an example to others. Her family and friends will strive to give the same genuine love and legacy to those loved ones she leaves behind.

Manuela "Nellie" Rubio of Holland, MI died on Tuesday October 28, 2008. She is preceded in death by Rodolfo Hernandez, Sr., Rosa Ledesma, Armandina H.

Cruz, and Margarita Infante. Nellie's family includes her husband Adan Rubio, daughter Michelle (Elmer) Montelongo; son Rigoberto Rubio; grandsons Keanu Marquez , Fabian T. Silva, Antonio R. Silva; sisters and brother, Dominga Zamora , Maria Garcia, Romelia Rodriguez, Lola Avitia.