Ernestina Carmen "Nettie" Gittens

Ernestina “Nettie” Carmen Delgado Gittens

Ms. Ernestina (also known as Nettie) was born to Blasina Romero de Delgado and Carmelo Delgado Caban (Puerto Rican parents) on July 12, 1929, eldest of three children in New York City. Siblings include Concepcion Delgado Burbon, and John Delgado. Ernestina was baptized and completed her First Communion and subsequent Confirmation in the Catholic Church. She attended P.S. (Public School) 57 Elementary School, P.S. 101 Junior High School, and Yorkville High School in East Harlem, New York. Post high school, she graduated from Metropolitan School of Nursing which she attended from 1948 to 1951. She continued her education by attending Hunter College’s evening program and graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in Education Degree Major in Nursing. Positions held in New York City included the Department of Health from 1951 to 1958 at the Metropolitan Hospital as Staff Nurse in Pediatrics, Head Nurse in Pediatrics, Public Health Nurse, Clinical Instructor in Maternity. Upon leaving the Metropolitan Hospital, she worked as a Private Duty Nurse. While working at the Metropolitan Hospital, Ernestina met her beloved, Hubert Gittens, whom she married on August 30, 1958, in New York and in December moved to establish their home in St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands. Of this union three children were borne and the family included step-daughter Gertalin Gittens (deceased).

In 1959, she was employed by the Department of Education as an Elementary School Teacher; in 1960-1970, she became Instructor of Coordinating Practical Nursing Program. From 1971 to 1974, piloted and coordinated the Catholic Church Community Coordinator (C.C.C.C), as Bilingual (English/Spanish) Health Coordinator. Ernestina continued her long distinguished career as an educator in 1974 through retirement in 1997, as a Bilingual Elementary School Teacher at the Evelyn M. Williams. Ernestina continued to be a licensed Registered Professional Nurse until December 31, 2001.

Upon moving her residence to Tampa, Florida, to reside with her daughter, Olivia, and grandson, Brandon Carlos in February 2003, Ernestina joined the congregation of the Bible-Based Fellowship Church where she and family’s faith, spiritual learning, and love flourished. Her continued love of healing, she volunteered at the Town N’ Country Hospital in approximately 2007 to 2016; assisted teachers at the Bible-Based Christian Academy; volunteered as a receptionist at Bible-Based Fellowship Church; and a member of the “Senior Aging Gracefully with Elegance” (SAGE) at the Bible-Based Fellowship Church. Ernestina was an ardent supporter of several global charities.

Ernestina as the matriarch of our family, with deep love, encouraged study of higher learning for self-empowerment to effectuate positive change/growth within self, community and the world for loving peace. Ernestina “Nettie” leaves to cherish her memory: Children (3): Olivia, Samuel, and Dorinda; Grandchildren (5): Racquel D., Rickey P., Jr., Samuel, Jr., Brandon Carlos, and Joshua; Step Grandchildren: (4) Linda, Jennifer, Onica, and Atiba; Great-Grandchildren: (4) Naomi, Mariela, Amirah; and Brian, Jr.; Step Great-Grandchildren: (6): Unica, Jahmal, Anthony, Jr., Adriene, Ahron, and Antoinette; Step Great-Great Grandchildren: (7) Khadin, Mah’keira J.A., Mah-keila J.A., Makenzie, Elijah, Bryson, and Amari. Ernestina was also survived by her sister, Concepcion Delgado Burbon; nephews: Hector Burbon, Jr.; Rolando Burbon; and Reymundo Burbon; and numerous cousins, nieces, and other relatives, and dear friends.