Beatriz "Bea" Chia

Beatriz “Bea” Cordova Diaz de Chia of Hackensack, New Jersey, passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2020. She passed while on a family vacation in Barranca, Puerto Chico in Lima, Peru at the age of 83. Beatriz was born in Supe, Lima, Peru, in 1936 to Felix Cordova and Gregoria Diaz de Cordova. 

Beatriz began to study nursing in her hometown and ultimately earned a Registered Nursing degree in 1957. After 5 years in the medical profession, she moved to Lima where she used her attention to detail and creativity to study haute couture fashion. Beatriz graduated with Gold Medal Premiere Excellence from Lima’s Colegio del “Corazon de Jesus” in 1970. For the next four years, Beatriz designed haute couture clothing for some of Peru’s notable dignitaries, until she moved with her husband to the United States in search of better economic opportunities. Beatriz moved to Paterson, NJ and found comfort in a city that housed other Peruvian-Americans looking to build a legacy. 

Challenged by the language barrier and schooling requirements to become a registered nurse in the Unities States, Beatriz successfully enrolled in the New York State Education Department’s Superior Career Institute (SCI) and graduated in 1978 to begin as a nurse’s aide. However, Beatriz’s passion for continuous learning and self-betterment was innate. In 1980, she began her career in education as a member of the Financial Aid Office at Passaic County Community College in Paterson, NJ. 

During her 30-year tenure as a Financial Aid officer, she helped hundreds of Latin American immigrants and local students afford their educational dreams in America. In 1999, Beatriz was praised for her commitment to student excellence by Dr. Steven Rose, President of the College. As one of the students stated to El Diario in a featured article about Beatriz’s superb recognition, “Beatriz has a soul made of gold and is the pride of our community.” Prior to her passing, Beatriz moved with her husband to Hackensack, NJ to be closer to their children.

The relationship with her husband of 61 years, Andrew Chia, was filled with love, laughter, determination, respect, and adoration. Beatriz is survived by her four loving children: Beatriz M. Chia Cordova, Andres L. Chia Jr., Lorenzo A. Chia and his wife Rita Chia, and Israel L. Chia. A proud grandmother to Kishia M. Brooks, Jovanne L. Delgado Chia, Jocelyn G. Chia, Ashley L. Chia, Sean A. Chia, and Britney G. Chia. A cherished great-grandmother to Leanny M. Rodriguez and Anyla M. Brown. In her personal time, Beatriz loved crossroad puzzles, bingo, chocolate, and a special affinity for criolla music by the Afro-Peruvian performer, Lucha Reyes, known by the pseudonym “La Morena de Oro Del Peru”. Beatriz was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be forever remembered and missed! 

A  memorial visitation will be held at Boulevard Funeral Home and Cremation Service in New Milford on Saturday, February 22, 2020, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a prayer service starting at 6:00 p.m.

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