Nelida Rocha Enrique

Nelida follows her parents, Angel Confesor Rocha and Estrella Obias Rocha, and her sister Milagros Obias Rocha. She is survived by her devoted husband of 64 years, Romeo; children Ronel with wife Tina, Marichelle with husband Michael Sunseri, Ninette with husband Mark McLaughlin, and Edward with partner Sergio Abramovich; grandchildren Dani and Alex Enrique, Christian, Alyssa, and Gabrielle Sunseri, and Elizabeth and Christina McLaughlin; great grandchildren Avery and Theo Sunseri; and siblings Raul, Anita, Mildred, and Mona.

A trendsetter and leader, Nelly made an unforgettable impact on everyone who was fortunate enough to know her. She was born in Camarines Sur, Bicol, Philippines. Her intelligence, work ethic, and self-confidence enabled her to blaze new trails for women of her time. She graduated from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines in 1960 as a Doctor of Medicine and emigrated to Cleveland, Ohio in 1963 to complete her medical residency in general practice. After completing her residency, she worked at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Brecksville, Ohio and then spent most of her career at Saint Alexis Hospital in Cleveland along with her husband Romy. For Nelly, the American dream was not a dream but a reality she made possible not only for her, but for her husband and children, and her brother and sisters who came to the United States under her sponsorship. Determination, authenticity, unerring fashion style, and her joyful laugh were her calling cards.

Nelly served in many ways during her lifetime. She maintained three private practices -- her main practice with her husband Romy, a general surgeon, at St. Jude's Medical Clinic in the heart of Slavic Village, Cleveland, along with offices in Brecksville and in downtown Cleveland. She was the medical director of nursing homes in Broadview Heights, Ohio and Cleveland. In her personal life, she acted in multiple leadership roles in PASO (Philippine American Society of Ohio) and APPO (Association of Philippine Physicians of Ohio). She, Romy, and others would travel to the Philippines to conduct medical missions and help underserved populations.

Nelly prioritized education, and she and Romy worked hard to provide for their children and fully support their academic and career pursuits. She loved socializing, shopping, and dessert, even more so when they were done together. Nelly reveled in dressing up and going to parties and galas, dancing with Romy. She enjoyed spending time with her patients, caring not only for their physical needs but for their emotional and overall well-being. A devout Catholic, Nelly deeply valued her prayer group meetings with her friends. The single, consistent piece of advice she would give to her children for all situations was this: Pray. Nelly enjoyed gardening but not the work; fortunately, Romy is a master gardener and was able to provide her with many years of enjoyment walking the grounds of their 26-acre home and enjoying the myriad, colorful flowers, bushes, and trees throughout the seasons.

Nelly, or Mimi as her grandchildren called her, will be deeply missed.

A visitation gathering will be held on Thursday, March 23, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Life Event Center at Florida Memorial Gardens, 5950 South US Highway 1, Rockledge, FL 32955. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, March 24, 2023 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 5655 Stadium Pkwy, Melbourne, FL 32940 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place at Florida Memorial Gardens followed by a reception gathering at the Life Event Center. Funeral Mass is viewable at the following link: https://youtube.com/live/jyKv6DX0aYM

Donations can be made in memory of Dr. Nelida Rocha Enrique to Vitas Community Connection or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. See donation buttons below.

Flowers (all white preferred) can be sent to Life Event Center at Florida Memorial Gardens, 5950 South US Highway 1, Rockledge, FL 32955 by Thursday, March 23 at 2:00 p.m.