Hilda Calo Valentin

Hilda Calo Valentín of Deltona, Florida, beloved wife of Benjamin (Benny) Valentín Sierra, mother of Nancy Valentín Soto and Benjamin (Ben) Valentín Calo, passed away Friday, February 16th, 2024, after many months of chronic age-related afflictions and just shy of her 90th birthday. Hilda lived in Barrazas, Puerto Rico upon retirement eventually moving to Florida Living in Apopka, FL; then Kinglake in Debary, FL; then Woodland Towers in Deland, FL; and finally to R&K Senior Care in Deltona, FL.

Hilda was born in Barrio Barrazas located in Carolina Puerto Rico, to Manuela Morales Calo and Isidro Calo Birriel. In 1952 Hilda married Benny, her husband of 72 years. In the late 1950’s and after the birth of their children Nancy and Ben, they moved to Chicago, IL in pursuit of a better life for their young family. If you had asked Hilda what the best thing was about living in Chicago, she would have said it was being introduced to God’s message and the Seventh Day Adventist church through their insurance agent, who along with his family, became lifelong friends. Hilda and Benny were baptized in the church and became very active members, sharing their new faith with all who would listen. Hilda was a faithful servant of the Lord and a fervent student of the Bible.

The early 1970’s found Hilda and Benny moving back to Puerto Rico where they set up residence in Villa Carolina attending the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Villa Carolina. When Hilda’s children moved on to form their own families she decided to go back to school and finish college completing an associate degree with High Honors in Elementary Education from Antillian University extension school in Rio Piedras, PR then a bachelor’s degree in education, and finally a master’s degree in library science from the University of Puerto Rico; something she was extremely proud of. Hilda’s final years of work were at the Academia Adventista Metropolitana (aka del Este) in Rio Piedras, PR where she took pride in being the first properly qualified librarian at the school. In 2016 Hilda and Benny moved to Florida Living in Apopka, FL; in 2019 to Kinglake in Debary, FL; in 2022 to Woodland Towers in Deland, FL; and in August of 2023 to R&K Senior Care in Deltona, FL.

Hilda is survived by her husband Benny, her children Nancy & Orlando Soto and Ben & Kathleen Valentín. Cherished grandchildren Jeanette & Frank Vigorito, Lynette & Perry Li, Jami & Megan Valentín, Haylee & John Springer, Ashley & Brandon Bittinger, Orlando Jr & Viviana Soto, Carla Soto, Anastasia & Ryan Gerber, and Philip Hernandez. Privileged to be blessed with 17 great grandchildren: Frankie (In God’s care) & Alex Vigorito, Daniel Li, Roman & Cora Valentín, Summit & Bogan Springer, Violet Kulm & Brantley Bittinger, Alejandra, Xavier & Gabriel Soto, Gabriela & Javier Soto, Jarret & Evelyn Gerber and Trinity Hernandez. Parents to Manuela Morales Calo and Isidro Calo Birriel (Predeceased); she also leaves behind four siblings: Graciela, Carmela (Carmin), Jose (Cheo) and Johnny Calo.

A visitation for Hilda will be held Sunday, February 25, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Deltona Memorial Funeral Home, 1295 Saxon Blvd, Orange City, FL 32763. A funeral service will occur Sunday, February 25, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, 1295 Saxon Blvd, Orange City, FL 32763. A reception will occur Sunday, February 25, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, 1295 Saxon Blvd, Orange City, FL 32763.