Nelly T. Gomez

MAMA NELLY
The matriarch of our family passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 11, 2023, with her loving family at her side. She has left behind a part of her powerful spirit to everyone that she has met.
Nelly Gomez was born in Cuba, the second of eleven children to Juvenal and Petronila Ramirez Bientz. Being one of eleven set her on a course in life to always try and be the center of attention at family and social gatherings. She was happiest when the room was laughing uproariously at her short skits complete with impromptu costumes made from the nearest throw blanket. At the age of thirty, she escaped communist Cuba with her husband Fernando and their two oldest daughters. They landed in the big city, of New York, to make a life in a new country. It was a struggle to get by, but Nelly was not to be deterred. She mastered the English language and was able to navigate her new country, irritating many a gringo in the process. Fernando and Nelly shared their small apartment with her two youngest sisters who also came from Cuba, and supported them like their own. Another two daughters arrived which completed her family, cemented her purpose in life, and made the apartment feel even smaller. Fernando was the love of her life and they were married for fifty-six years until his passing in 2019.
Nelly taught her daughters, first and foremost, in the Catholic faith. This faith carried her through many difficult times and brought her much joy. She did the rosary every day with Fernando and her daughters until one of them, in a pre-teen moment, proclaimed that she had done enough rosaries for a lifetime and was opting out. Nelly prayed the rosary for her enlightenment. She made sure to reinforce the faith every chance she could get. She had her daughters participate in a living nativity at the Comité Católico Cubano and pinched their arms if they got out of line at Mass. The drive to spread her faith crossed generations. More recently, she was working on convincing her youngest grandson that he would make a good priest. She might have worn him down if she had a few more years to pester him about it.
Her perseverance and determination were so strong that If she willed it, then it eventually happened. That's how her family came to have a car, a house, and college-educated daughters. Those same qualities also led to many spirited arguments too numerous to mention here. She spawned a social worker, a teacher, a nurse, and a geek. We don't know where she went wrong with that last one, but three out of four in selfless professions is a good track record nonetheless. In the rare times she was not focusing on her family or community, Nelly would write down her thoughts in the form of prose and poetry. She kept a journal her whole life, and in her eighty-third year, she was determined to publish a book of poetry. She enlisted the help of family members to transcribe her writings and eventually published her book, Arcoiris de Poemas. She was very proud of this accomplishment and would like you to know It's available on Amazon if anyone wants to check it out.
No one was a stranger to Nelly. Even though she had limited financial means all her life, there was always money and shelter to give to people that were even more in need. Not just material things either, but emotional and spiritual support as well. She single-handedly may or may not have successfully convinced hundreds of people to get baptized. If there was a social, religious or support group, you could be sure that Nelly was a part of it. She gained many friends and a strong social network no matter where she lived and was a beacon of hope in her community. Nelly and Fernando were faithful and active members of the Legion of Mary in their parish of St. Francis of Assisi until their deaths.
Nelly loved her six grandchildren dearly. She went to many grandparent days at school, concerts, shows, graduations and ball games. Always expressing how proud she was of each of them and their accomplishments. She once said that the trials and tribulations she had in raising four daughters were worth it because of her grandchildren. It was the big payoff, she would say. The spark that Nelly had throughout her life never faded, even to the end. She was always "up" in everyone's business, giving advice endlessly, and loving everyone around her in her own unique way. She went out like she lived her life, and exactly how she wanted, faithfully and being the center of attention. While celebrating Easter Sunday at Mass, the church was packed and the priest had just started giving Communion, she had a stroke. People around her rushed to her aid; the church nurses immediately did all they could to help. The priest stopped giving communion and came to her side to anoint her. After Communion, he announced that there had been a medical emergency and had the whole church pray a Hail Mary for her. Anyone who knows Nelly has no doubt she willed it to happen that way.
We love you, Mama.
Nelly is preceded in death by her beloved parents and an older sister, Maria Elena "Cuca". She is survived by nine siblings: Elio, Olga, Rosa, Dolores, Luis, Amado, Sor Reinelda, Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, Gisela and Flavia; her ever-loving daughters; Hilda Anastasia, Fi, Maria and Mercy; her loving sons-in-law, Mick, Tom, and Mark; her grandchildren, Carolyn, Isabelle, Olivia, Sofia, Valentino and Alexander; her great-grandchildren, Nelly Jr, Ophelia and Leo and a wealth of nieces, nephews, friends and family who love her profoundly.
A viewing will be held Sunday, April 16, 2023, from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Holy Family Catholic Church, 555 South 25th St. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Recitation of the Rosary, by the Legion of Mary, will begin at 9:30 AM, Monday, April 17, 2023, followed by viewing from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, at the Holy Family Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM, with Rev. Flavio Jose Pereira C.M. officiating the service. Following Mass, a procession to Holy Saviour Cemetery, 3420 N Susquehanna Trail, York, Pennsylvania, will take place for Nelly's Earthly Committal.
The Hetrick-Bitner Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the care and arrangements of its beloved and admirable friend, Nelly T. Gomez.