Known as “a devoted mother, grandmother, and guiding light to her family, Abi, as she was affectionately called by her grandchildren and neighbors, was born in 1924 in the rural village of Vilardante, located outside the city of Noya, in Galicia, Spain. One of seven children of Celestino Bermudez and Pilar Nimo, Abi eventually immigrated to Havana, Cuba, where she married Miguel Roig, a fellow Spanish immigrant who had arrived decades earlier. The two had a son, whom they named Miguel after his father. Following the takeover of the island by the Castro regime, the family decided to leave Cuba. Sadly, and before leaving for the U.S., her husband passed away at the age of 59.

“Abi and her son first settled in the town of West New York in Hudson County with her new husband and fellow Spaniard, Francisco Mayans in 1970 and, following Francisco’s passing in 1981, mother and son moved to nearby Union City.

“Her son, Miguel, married Maryellen Reardon and two years after the birth of her grandson, Michael John, Abi joined the family when they moved to Rumson in 1991. Three years later, they welcomed the arrival of Elena Graham, her granddaughter.

“Abi’s grandchildren were the joy of her life and she was absolutely devoted to them. She gave of herself selflessly offering not only gentle care and guidance, but a steady nurturing presence that brought them comfort, security and, above all, unconditional love. Her legacy lives on in the values she instilled in them and, especially, in the deep bond she shared with them.”

Loved ones of Abi Mayans in her obituary