Aurora B. Nestor

Aurora B. Nestor, of Colchester, passed away on February 7, 2026, surrounded by her loving family, succumbing to complications from her third battle with cancer. She had recently celebrated her 70th birthday. She was born in Zamboanga City in the Philippines on December 24, 1955, to the late Prospero and Cecilia Benito.

Aurora met Philip Nestor, Jr, a deep-sea diver with the U.S. Navy, in 1981 while he was stationed in the Philippines. Like the characters from the Sleeping Beauty fairytale, Philip and Aurora had a love that other people envied. They married on February 19, 1983 and lived in the Philippines until December 1984, then they moved to the United States. They raised their 4 children in a home full of love and laughter. Aurora worked at Stop-and-Shop in Colchester after her first battle with cancer for 20 years, where she enjoyed interacting with the customers.

Aurora lived by the motto of never lie, cheat, or steal, which she learned from her father. She was stubborn but fair. She was resilient and exemplifies hard work, dedication, and love. She raised her children to work hard and to strive for what you believe in. She had a strong relationship with God and helped foster that same relationship in her children. In her spare time, she enjoyed gardening and would stay outside all day if she could. Each spring, she would meticulously clean the aphids off each of her rose bushes. Her favorite rose was always the Mister Lincoln. She had a unique sense of humor and her love of cooking was shared by her children and grandchildren. Aurora was a Tetris and Doctor Mario master, and an aficionado of 3D puzzles. She loved the snow and could be found playing in it with her family, sledding and making snow angels. She was always singing, especially when she was in a good mood.

She will be deeply missed but always remembered with love by her husband Philip of Colchester; her children and their spouses, Ann Benito (Anthony Rowlette), Jaclyn Smith, Stephanie (Eric) Green, Carl (Déborah) Nestor, and Andre Krausz; her grandchildren, Allison, Oskar, Ophelia, Lara, Ayla, Aaron, Tyric, Hollis, and Marsellus; her great-grandchildren, Sophiya, Nyahja, Amari, and Lenox; and numerous extended family members and friends.

Aurora was more than a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is the epitome of a heroine, never allowing her struggles to slow her down, and an inspiration to be relentless and to always follow one's dreams. "Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories." - Ronald Reagan

A visitation and memorial service will be held on February 28, 2026, from 1-3PM and service beginning at 3PM at the Aurora McCarthy Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the cancer research center of your choice. For online condolences or to share a memory of Aurora, please visit www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com