Carmen Maria Nuñez (Ortiz)

Born on Tuesday, July 22, 1930, in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Carmen Maria Ortiz—affectionately known as "Nini" to her family—began a life that would become a testament to determination, intellect, grace, and unwavering devotion to those she loved.

At just four years old, Carmen moved with her family to New York City's Spanish Harlem, settling on East 108th Street between Fifth and Madison Avenues. It was there that her remarkable curiosity and love of learning quickly became evident. A gifted student, she skipped the second grade and graduated from Julia Richmond High School with honors in 1947 at only seventeen years of age.

Her parents, María and Juan Delgado, encouraged her inquisitive spirit and nurtured her many talents. As a child, Carmen studied piano and voice, performed in children's theater, and even sang on the radio. Bright, attentive, and wonderfully precocious, she embraced every opportunity placed before her.

In September 1945, during a neighborhood block party celebrating the end of World War II, Carmen met the love of her life, Felipe "Lefty" Núñez. She would often laugh and tell the story by saying, "I chased my man until he caught me." Their courtship blossomed into a lifetime of love, and they were married on April 10, 1948.

For their honeymoon, the newlyweds boarded the Silver Meteor at Grand Central Station, traveling south to Tampa, Florida, with a stop at Clearwater Beach. Tampa already held a special place in Felipe's heart—his family descended from the cigar-making pioneers of Ybor City—and before long it would capture Carmen's as well.

Returning briefly to New York, the couple welcomed their first son, Philip John, in January 1949, followed by their second son, Fernando, in 1951. With two young children and dreams of a new beginning, Carmen and Felipe boarded the Champion and made Tampa their permanent home.

Gifted with exceptional organizational skills, Carmen was an accomplished typist, proficient in Pittman shorthand, bilingual in Spanish and English, and possessed a remarkable aptitude for business. She first worked at Martin's Uniforms in Ybor City, where her natural ability with customers quickly earned attention.

Her talents soon led attorney Sam Hyman to recruit her as his legal secretary. After a decade in the legal profession, she accepted an opportunity to work for Florida State Senator Louis de la Parte Jr. Never content to stop learning, Carmen enrolled at Hillsborough Community College and, at the age of forty-two, earned her degree in Pre-Law before becoming a certified paralegal.

Over the course of more than thirty years, Carmen built an outstanding career serving attorneys, judges, legislators, and the legal community with professionalism, intelligence, and integrity.

Even retirement did not slow her down. She continued serving the community through Hillsborough County Public Schools, working in administration at both Jefferson High School and Roland Park.

Outside of her career, Carmen's energy seemed limitless. She loved crocheting, sewing, yoga, and became a successful regional sales leader for Avon. She somehow also found time to wash countless baseball uniforms while supporting her children at the ballpark. Her youngest son, Mario, practically grew up on the baseball field. Carmen worked the concession stand, kept score, cheered from the sidelines, and somehow made it all look effortless. She was, in every sense of the word, unstoppable.

Family remained the center of Carmen's universe. Her extraordinary life was blessed with three children, seven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

To her grandchildren, she was simply "Nani." She radiated warmth, humor, and joy. She loved dancing—often winning dance contests alongside Lefty—playing cards with her brother and sister-in-law, and entertaining family with her razor-sharp wit. And if you ever challenged her to a game of Double-Nine dominoes, you quickly learned she was every bit the champion.

Carmen possessed a rare combination of elegance and strength. She was intelligent without pretense, fiercely loyal, endlessly generous, and never afraid to speak her mind. She lived with purpose, loved with her whole heart, and inspired everyone fortunate enough to know her.

If you met Carmen only once, chances are you remembered her.

If you knew her well, your life was richer because of it.

And if you had the privilege of calling her mom, Nani, wife, sister, or friend, you were blessed beyond measure.

Tough. Tenacious. Brilliant. Compassionate. Fiercely proud. Endlessly devoted. Carmen Maria Núñez was truly one of one.

She set the standard for all who followed, and her legacy of love, perseverance, and family will continue to live on in the hearts of generations to come.

Until we meet again. Service details will follow.

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In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to:

Tampa Bay Arts and Education Network:

https://www.mightycause.com/donate/Tbae