Ines De La Nuez

Ines De La Nuez passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones on January 17, 2024, at 9:27 pm. 11 days before her 83rd birthday. She was the daughter of Vitalina Vargas and Enrique Rufino. Ines was predeceased by her brothers Maximo (Maximino), Carlos, Elsilio, Rafael (Chachito), Gilberto, Serafin, and Luis (Pallin) and her sisters Maria de Jesus (Maminin) and Juana Minerva (Juana). She is survived by her sisters, Cenovia Elena (Niove), and Maria Guadalupe (Lupita).

Ines was also predeceased by her sons Jonbannis, 1992(Jovani) and Franklin, 2023. However, she is survived by her three children: Nelson Rolando (RosMary), Jacqueline Erenia Pimentel (Fausto), and Janice Carucci (Joe), and stepson Vinicio (Debbie). She had 17 grandchildren, Zulaima (Zuly), Stephanie, Alexangelo (Alex), Giovanni (Geo), Sidney, Danicia, Joshua, Israel, Kayla, Jeffrey, Jonalexis (Jona), Astrid, Frangimel (Gimelito), David, Leonardo (Leo), Ariana, and Nataly. Additionally, she had 15 great-grandchildren who held a special place in her heart.

Ines was born in Palero, Bonao, Dominican Republic, and grew up in the countryside by a river with her siblings. At the age of 26, with the support of her then-husband, Vinicio De La Nuez (Div. 1983), she moved to Manhattan to pursue a career as a seamstress. She joined the Ladies Garment Workers Union and made clothing for models in NYC from the 70s to the late 80s.

While working as a seamstress, Ines also began working as an office cleaner, joining the 32BJ Union where she spent over 3 decades. During this time, she met and befriended producer Ralph Mercado and many artists, including Celia Cruz, who often invited her to her apartment for fun-filled gatherings.

Ines became a homeowner in NYC, a feat not easily achieved in the 90s, with a 3-apartment home that allowed her rental income and furthered her accomplishments. After retirement, she moved to be with her daughter, Jacqueline, and her husband, Fausto, in Mandarin (Jacksonville, Florida). Here, she thrived so much so, that even though she loved NY, she never went back to winter since 2016!

Her greatest accomplishment was the family she created and nurtured for her entire existence. All her grandchildren and great-grandchildren considered her the strength of the family and called her Maminez.

Ines loved playing dominos, dancing, gardening, nurturing the hydrangeas she loved so much, walking, and most definitely traveling the world. One of her most cherished visits was to Jerusalem in 2016, which she returned to 3 years later. Her favorite songs were: “Yesterday” – by The Beatles, Danny Daniel's album, “You Say” – by Lauren Daigle, “You Raised Me Up” and “I Can Only Imagine” by Josh Groban.

She was a selfless soul who gave without caring to whom. She was a God-fearing Christian of over 30 years, who loved the Lord and lived by his word. Ines was a mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, mother-in-law, and true friend with a strong spirit who never gave up fighting this earthly life. She always stayed firm in the word and promises of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Her passing is a great loss, and she will be missed immensely, as she was the foundation on which we stand.

There will be a visitation Wednesday, January 24, 2024 from 4pm to 8pm at Hardage Giddens Mandarin, 11801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville. A funeral mass will be held Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 10am at St. Joseph's Historic Church, 4214 Loretto Rd, Jacksonville, followed by her burial at St. Joseph's Cemetery.

To join in services online, please use the following information and links on Teams:

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