Nieves Fernandez Mendoza, 92 of Tampa, Florida peacefully passed on to the arms of her Lord Savior on July 12,2021. Nieves was born to Adolfo Fernandez and Santa Dedine on November 13,1928 she was the youngest of 12 children and was known by her family as ”La Nina”. She was raised in Ybor City along with her older siblings during the Depression. During her teenage years she worked after school at a cigar factory, later to work at the Casino Spanish Theatre where she met her future husband Leo Mendoza. They dated for a year and married on February 19,1950. Soon to have two children, Yolanda and Rudy. She gained employment at the Gonzales Clinic in Ybor City as a nurse’s aide for several years. Then she graduated by working for Dr. Perez and Dr. Rubio for 15 years. Later she worked for Dr. George James as his nurse for thirty years, where she later retired. She loved to travel with her husband, family and friends, But most of all she loved taking her grandsons fishing and having sleep overs. She also enjoyed going to the casino with her son and grandson and Bingo night with her girl friends
Then came her great-grandchildren which she proudly called her Babies, she loved holding and kissing them… And cherishing every moment she could with them
Nieves was a very loving and generous soul, everyone who came to know her soon loved her as one of their own.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo Mendoza; parents and siblings.
Nieves is survived by her son, Rudy Mendoza (Teddie); daughter, Yolanda Prado (Robert); grandchildren, Richard Prado, Lee Mendoza (Sarah), Marco Mendoza (Brittany), Brandon Mendoza (Rochelle); great-grandchildren, Aubrey N. Mendoza, Marco R. Mendoza Jr, Mason L. Mendoza, Jordan J. Mendoza.
The void in our hearts will be filled by the love and memories that she gave us.
She will be forever alive in our hearts.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Monday July 26, 2021 at Blount & Curry Funeral Home at Garden of Memories, 4207 East Lake Avenue, Tampa, FL. Inurnment to follow in Myrtle Hill Memorial Park, 5048 East Lake Avenue, Tampa FL. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
