Hilda Noriega

Hilda Noriega
May 8, 1929 - June 24, 2021

Hilda Noriega was born in the Marianao Borough of Havana Cuba and was the third of four siblings.  Her parents, Jose Guerra and Ofelia Benet, provided a very close and loving family environment.  Hilda enjoyed growing up in Cuba and had many fond memories of the country.  She met her husband, Joseph Noriega, while vacationing in NYC.  He happened to be working in the hotel she was staying at and it was love at first sight.  He ended up eventually following her back to Cuba, and married her after a brief courtship.  Shortly after the birth of their son, Carlos, the family fled from Castro's regime and relocated to the United States in 1960.  After a few early stops in NYC, Jacksonville, Carol City and Homestead, the family settled in Miami Beach.  Their lives quickly  began to experience  successes associated with a family gas station business, and later an Auto Parts store (Miami Beach Auto Parts), along with the purchase of their first home.  In 1968, Hilda gave birth to her daughter Katherine.  For the next 17 years, the family lived an amazing life with many  joyful memories filled with family and friends.  The family enjoyed every special occasion, holiday, and any reason to get together.  Unfortunately, life took a tragic turn when Katherine passed following a traffic accident in 1985.  Although Hilda and Joe had to learn to live with the pain of losing a child, they were given the strength to do so through their incredible bonds with all their grandchildren.   Hilda cherished her 56 year marriage and missed her husband greatly after he passed in 2016.  She always enjoyed any time she spent with her family and friends, especially whenever it involved going out or traveling.  Hilda enjoyed cooking, entertaining, and playing board games (Rummy-Q).  She loved God with all her heart and was a very devout Catholic.  Hilda had an amazing spirit and everyone she ever met could feel it.  She was the "heart and soul" and "Matriarch" of her family.  Hilda was an incredible wife, mother, grandmother, family member and friend.  Her family described Hilda and her life with two words "unconditional love".  She showed that love throughout her life until the very end.  Hilda's amazing spirit and the incredible memories throughout her earthly journey will live on through everyone she ever touched.  She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and everyone who knew her.  Hilda has gone home to join God in heaven, and be reunited with her husband, daughter, many family members and family pets.  She is survived by her son Carlos and grandchildren Michael, Michelle and Stephen, along with several extended family members.