Obituary of Nelly S. Pantojan
Nelly S. Pantojan, 78, passed away on Monday, February 28, 2022 at home in Piscataway.
Nelly was born on September 21, 1943 in Davao, Philippines.
A graduate from the University of Mindanao in Davao, Nelly earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering and was one of the first of two women to pass the Philippine Certification Board Exam for Chemical Engineering.
In 1969, Nelly moved to Japan for a brief period of time before relocating to New York City where she resided before settling to Piscataway in 1975.
An avid tennis player who excelled at the sport, Mrs. Pantojan was a member of several USTA leagues and served as a Captain in the Women’s 3.5 and 7.0 Mixed Doubles Leagues. She was a proud member of the Central New Jersey Fil-Am Tennis Club where she served as Past President and she even participated in the NJ Senior Olympics where she was both a Gold and Silver Medalist.
Nelly also participated in a New York City Bowling League and from 1980 – 1995 along with her husband, was a Successful Amway Member Gold Level Producer.
In addition, Nelly was a parishioner of Our Lady of Fatima RC Church in Piscataway.
Nelly was known to be an advocate for her family to immigrate to the United States, help them plant new roots and establish careers in America. She was a role model for education and continuously pursued the need to further her studies in every stage of her life.
She was an inspiration and mother to all always willing to offer her guidance, love and support to anyone that entered her home.
Mrs. Pantojan is predeceased by a baby sister Celinia and brothers Narno and Estanislao DeChaves Jr.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Rolando; son, Mark Pantojan and his wife Crystal; daughter, Melissa Pantojan and fiancé Anthony Jimenez all of Piscataway; sisters, Norma DeChaves of Piscataway, Teresita DeChaves of Middlesex and Emalyn Buenviaje of Steilacoom, WA.; brother, Tierre DeChaves of Chicago, Il. and granddaughter, Everly Pantojan. Also surviving are numerous extended relatives and dear friends.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 6, 2022 from 1-5pm in the McCriskin – Gustafson Home For Funerals 2425 Plainfield Ave. South Plainfield, NJ 07080.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, March 7, 2022 beginning at 9:15am in the funeral home followed by a 10:30am funeral mass at Our Lady of Fatima RC Church, Piscataway.
Entombment will follow at Resurrection Burial Park, Piscataway, NJ.