Guillermina Elena Mejia

Guillermina Mejia, 67, of The Villages, Florida, passed away on Monday, October 5, 2026, at UF Spanish Plaines Hospital in The Villages.

Affectionately known as “Guille,” she was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, to Guillermina Gallardo and Rafael Mejia.

An accomplished public health professional and tireless advocate for working people, she spent more than three decades with District Council 37, AFSCME (DC-37), New York City's largest public employee union, serving as Director of its Safety and Health Department.

A trusted and respected voice for workers, Guille combined expertise, compassion, and determination to improve workplace conditions and protect those whose jobs often placed them at risk. Her work touched countless lives, but nowhere was her impact more profound than in the aftermath of September 11, 2001.

Representing DC-37 members who worked at Ground Zero, in surrounding neighborhoods, and at landfill sites, Guille fought tirelessly to ensure workers were protected from hazardous conditions and received the medical care, support, and recognition they deserved. For years, she championed those suffering from 9/11-related illnesses, advocating for health monitoring, treatment, compensation, and justice for the men and women whose service came at great personal cost.

She served on the World Trade Center Health Program Steering Committee and the WTC Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee, helping shape programs that continue to provide care, resources, and support for responders and survivors.

Through her testimony, advocacy, and persistence, Guille helped secure important protections and benefits for countless individuals and families. In 2005, the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health honored her with the Karen Silkwood Award in recognition of her commitment to workplace health and safety, her role in strengthening safety standards, and her steadfast leadership in protecting workers from hazards, injuries, and illness.

Through her work at and around Ground Zero following the attacks, Guille was exposed to the same toxic environment as the workers she represented. The illness that claimed her life was the result of that exposure.

Guille’s accomplishments tell only part of her story. She met life's challenges with optimism, always believing there was a path forward and that even the toughest obstacles could be overcome. Her smile lit up a room, her confidence reassured others, and her determination often prevailed when others had given up. Rather than discouraging her, the word “no” only strengthened her resolve.

Guille loved to stay active and embraced every opportunity to enjoy life. A seventh-degree black belt in karate, she approached every challenge with discipline, focus, and resolve. If she weren’t playing pickleball, lawn bowling, or golf, she was likely on the dance floor. She loved line dancing, especially with Lee, cherishing the music, laughter, and camaraderie of the weekly Monday practice sessions of the Rainbow Mavericks and the Rainbow Family dances on Tuesday nights.

The playing field was more than a place for recreation; it was where she built lasting friendships, shared laughter, and encouraged those around her to do their best. Guille was drawn to people who shared her appreciation for friendship, community, and good fun, and she treasured the relationships that grew from those connections.

Whether at work, on the dance floor, in friendly competition, at the card table, or among family and friends, Guille embodied the qualities that defined her character: generosity, fairness, determination, and respect for others. Her optimism, resilience, and genuine delight in the success and happiness of others left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Above all, Guille was devoted to the people she loved. She was a loyal and loving wife, sister, aunt, friend, and colleague whose kindness and support could always be counted on. She celebrated the successes of others, offered encouragement during challenging times, and was always ready to lend a helping hand. Her warmth, humor, and genuine kindness brought people together and made them feel welcome, valued, and loved.

Those who knew Guille will remember her strength, tenacity, and unwavering belief that obstacles were meant to be overcome. They will remember her laughter, generosity, and the way she made others feel seen and supported. Mostly, they will remember the love she shared so freely with family, friends, and colleagues.

We will remember Guille with deep admiration, gratitude, and love. We will miss her profoundly.

Guille is survived by her wife and partner of 35 years, Lee Clarke; their beloved Cooper; two sisters; three brothers; and twenty-five nieces and nephews.