Nancy Batista

Born in San German, Puerto Rico, she was the daughter of Virginia Lugo and Gonzalo Nazario. Nancy spent her childhood in Puerto Rico, moving to New York City as a young teenager. She graduated from Cathedral High School, later attending and excelling at secretarial school. She loved music and dancing, parties, baseball and especially the Brooklyn Dodgers. It was in New York where she met her future husband and love of her life Jose Emilio “Pipo” Batista of Havana, Cuba. As their family grew, they relocated to Miami in the early 1960’s, and then to Puerto Rico in the mid-70’s. For Nancy it was a dream come true to have her daughters connect with their Puerto Rican roots and experience life on her beautiful island. In the early 80’s, the family relocated back to Miami for several years, where she was a secretary at Pan American Hospital. She and Pipo loved to travel and together they created wonderful memories wherever they went. They ultimately moved to Orlando, where she continued to live for many years following his passing in 1996. She later moved to the Tampa area to be closer to her youngest daughter, while always maintaining independence in her own apartment. Nancy was the quintessential homemaker … she could do it all! She was an excellent cook, seamstress, and gardener … whatever she set out to do, she did well. She loved being a wife and mother and doting on her family, as well as entertaining and hosting many fun parties. She adored her grandchildren and was so very proud of them. Her family meant everything to her and that was her greatest passion. She instilled qualities in her daughters they hope will continue to make her proud long after she is gone. Nancy also loved Engelbert Humperdinck, Frank Sinatra, and her beloved Dodgers. She could watch baseball for hours! She had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh, frequently resulting in “tremenda pavera”. She was headstrong and spoke her mind, she had a big heart and always wanted nothing but the best for you. She maintained friendships over many, many decades and loved her friends dearly, like family. Nancy is survived by her daughters Beverly “Bibi” Batista, Aimee Molina-Davis and her husband Mark, Emily Rogowski and her husband Eddie, and her grandchildren Michele, Kelly and Eric. Her family would like to thank the staff at American House Senior Living in Zephyrhills. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love, kindness and patience with Mom, and for giving us peace of mind knowing she was in good hands. Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, there will be no calling hours and burial will be private at Chapel Hill Cemetery in Orlando, FL. In lieu of flowers, please call a friend or relative you haven't reached out to recently. Nancy loved to receive phone calls … they were the highlight of her day and would often put a big smile on her face, so she would want others to do the same in her memory.