Nereida Aurora Gonzalez, 89, of Hialeah, Florida, passed away peacefully in her sleep on June30, 2026.

She was born on October 4, 1936, in Caraballo, Cuba. She married Luis Mario "Mayito" Gonzalez, the love of her life, on December 26, 1956, in Cuba. Soon after, they moved to Miami, Florida, where they pursued the American dream, raised two sons, and built a wonderful life together.

Nereida was a devoted mother and grandmother, affectionately known as "Aba" by her grandchildren. She is survived by her sons, Richard Gonzalez and Mario Gonzalez and his wife, Anabel; her grandchildren, Isabelle and Nicholas; her brother, Eddy Hernandez, and his wife, Aleida; her sister, Luisa Nelida "Tita" Hernandez; and many nieces, nephews, and friends who loved her like family.

Nereida was the rock of the family, known for turning her home into a welcoming place for everyone who visited. During the Cuban exodus of the 1960s, she and her husband opened their home to many family members and friends after leaving their homeland. She was a faithful member of the Catholic Church and an active participant in the Cursillo movement. Together, she and her husband demonstrated their faith through their generosity and hospitality. Every day was a celebration. They celebrated everything—birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and simply the joy of life. She loved to cook, dance, and laugh.

She and her husband also loved traveling the world with friends and family, especially to the mountains of North Carolina. In the early 1980s, they created a mountain cabin community in Piney Creek, North Carolina, where they made countless cherished memories. She was a steadfast supporter of her husband and sons, playing a pivotal role in the development of several communities in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and Virginia. Her heart, faith, and vision helped shape these communities in meaningful ways, including the creation of chapels in both the Deerwood Park and Bear Creek communities. She envisioned places where residents and visitors could come to pray, reflect, and give thanks. Over the years, these chapels have hosted numerous weddings and continue to be places of peace, reflection, and inspiration for all who gather there.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Luis Mario Gonzalez; her sister, Azucena Hernandez; her brothers, Juan Hernandez and Fernando Hernandez; and her parents, Felicia Lima and Fernando Hernandez.

Nereida loved life and lived every minute to the fullest. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her, and we look forward to seeing her again one day.