Nilda Dominguez

Nilda Malavet Dominguez, age 86, of Dunedin Florida, passed away February 25, 2025. She passed peacefully in her sleep, at home, surrounded by loving family and friends. She was born October 20, 1938 in Ponce, Puerto Rico. She is the first born daughter of Palmira Collazo and Emilio Malavet.

In Puerto Rico, Nilda was born of humble beginnings. Despite these circumstances she rose up to create a full and vibrant life well beyond the expectations of her original station. Because of financial challenges, she was raised by her grandfather and his wife, Papi Pascual and Daniella. At the age of 5 they moved to New York City, to el Barrio, Spanish Harlem. There she learned to navigate life in these new surroundings and in this new culture. All the while she avoided the vices and pitfalls that were readily available and easily accessible in the "inner city."

Although painfully shy, she thrived in El Barrio where she learned to dare to dream of a better life. She was an excellent student, and a quick study. Learning English was easy enough for her. She assimilated and was accepted readily.

Based on the extensive library of books she assembled over the years, and that could be found in the family room, she was drawn to the arts. She collected books of varied disciplines that included classic and modern literature, philosophy, religion, fine arts, theatre, cinema, and television. It is easy to imagine that, with exposure to these books, she grew to appreciate learning and the wonders of the world, that the joy of life is accessible to everyone, and that the only barriers to living a full life are the ones we place on ourselves.

Although ostensibly orphaned, as time went on, she was reunited with members of her extensive family. She reunited with brothers, sisters, uncles, and cousins.

The oldest of three sisters, she and her sisters Mayda (Iris) and Lucy were reunited first. Later, it came to be known that these three sisters had a previously unknown extended family in Puerto Rico when half-brother Raul searched for them and turned up at the threshold proclaiming to be part of their family. Nilda and her sisters went on to learn that they had a much bigger family. They came to know and love the aforementioned brother Raul along with brothers Luis, Berto, and Jose.

Although her parents had separated many years before, Nilda was reunited with her mother Palmira and her father Emilio. In the end, all of the complicated details that were the catalysts for these separations and reunions didn't really matter more than the love each family member felt for the other. Deeply loving and supportive relationships were forged among them. These relationships, extended through the years, were shared and felt within the generations of Nilda's progeny. One might conclude that it was being abandoned then reunited, and feeling the genuine and deep love that permeated these reforged relationships, brought with it immense healing which in turn taught her to love and value family.

As a teenager she met and fell in love with Benjamin. At the tender ages of 22 and 19 respectively, Nilda and Benny married. Together they weathered the ups and downs of marriage for 64 years. They grew up and grew old together. During those 64 years, side by side, they accomplished many things that at the time were unprecedented for two Puerto Rican kids from Harlem.

Considered an exceptional beauty by many, with poise, grace, and intelligence, Nilda found her way into the exciting and glamorous world of fashion. For several years she could be seen on the modeling runways and on the pages of fashion magazines in the world of 1960's Haute Couture.

Soon Nilda and Benny decided to begin a family of their own. Nilda then made the decision to leave the world of fashion and dedicate her life to raising a family. They wanted their children to have better opportunities and to live in a better environment. So, they left the city and purchased their first home in Islip, Long Island. There they began to raise their children Steven, Phillipe, and Elizabeth. Many years later they packed up their things and moved to Dunedin Florida.

Through the years Nilda made many lasting, and often life-long, friendships. Repeatedly it has been said that she connected with people in way that made them feel special, and appreciated. She shared her warmth in ways that were unique and left an impression on the heart that was never forgotten.

After moving to the suburbs, Nilda spent the rest of her years as a devoted wife and mother. Her many joys included dancing, painting, cinema, and cooking wonderful meals for her family and friends (she often said her secret ingredient was love). She enjoyed spending time with her friends, her children, and her grandchildren, all of whom she loved unconditionally.

Nilda is survived by her devoted husband: Benjamin; her three children: Steven, Phillipe, and Elizabeth, her grandchildren: Alexander Mcdonald, Michael Schriver III, Dylan Schriver, Lilly Dominguez, and Madelena Dominguez, her sister: Lucy Banchs, her brothers: Raul Malavet, Luis Malavet, Berto Malavet, and Jose Malavet, and preceded in death by her sister Iris Lampon.

Nilda has requested that her remains be transported to, and spread in her beloved homeland of Puerto Rico.