Jacqueline Cid

Jacqueline Cid, 63, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2026, with her family at her bedside in her home. She left this world the same way she lived in it, surrounded by love, in quiet grace, and with the people who meant everything to her close by.

Jackie was born on February 28, 1963, in New York City to the late Humberto and Gilman Benitez. She was raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and in 1997 moved to Tampa, Florida with her husband, Jorge Cid, and their two daughters, Veronica Cid and Christina Rivera.

She leaves behind a family who loved her deeply and completely, including her daughters, Veronica and Christina; Veronica’s partner, Lori Nicholson; and Christina’s husband, Marcos Rivera. She was a proud and devoted grandmother to her two beautiful grandsons, Marcos and Diego, who were truly the light of her life. She is also survived by her sister, Gilma, and brother-in-law, Donald Bellofatto, along with their children, Christopher and Jillian, and many other cherished family members and dear friends. She was preceded in death and lovingly welcomed and reunited in heaven with her parents, Gilman and Humberto Benitez, and her grandparents, Maria Luisa Rojas and Juan Rojas.

To know Jackie was to feel loved, even in silence. She was the quiet strength of her family, the steady presence that never wavered. She did not need many words to show her love, because you could feel it in everything she did, in the way she cared, in the way she gave, and in the way she always made room for others, no matter what she was carrying herself.

Her home was a place of comfort, warmth, and belonging. She found her greatest joy in having her family close, in simple moments that meant everything to her. She had a way of making people feel safe, accepted, and unconditionally loved, and that was one of her greatest gifts.

Her grandsons were her heart. They gave her strength, purpose, and so much happiness, especially throughout her seven-year battle with illness. She cherished every second with them and made sure they always knew just how deeply their “Mama” loved them. That love does not end here. It will continue to guide and surround them for the rest of their lives.

Jackie worked for many years as a dedicated accounting professional at several major corporations, including GE Credit and Anchor Glass, where she built not only a career, but meaningful friendships that stayed with her throughout her life.

She lived a life rooted in kindness, patience, and quiet resilience. She gave love freely, without condition, and asked for very little in return. She was a gentle soul, a quiet warrior, and a mother whose love ran deeper than words can ever fully express.

She will be missed beyond measure, beyond words, and beyond what feels possible to carry. But the love she gave, so pure and steady, remains. It lives on in her husband, children, her grandchildren, and in every life she touched.

And if you knew her, you carry a piece of that love with you still.

Visitation will be held at Gonzalez Funeral Home, 7209 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33614, US, on April 10, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.