Nereida Sankitts

Nereida Maldonado Sankitts, born on the island of Culebra, on October 18th, 1935, was our mother. She was our sister. Our wife, our daughter, our cousin, aunt. She was affectionately called "Willa" by her grandchildren and called "Curu" by those close to her. Her life was all about others. From a young age in her father's house, she took care of others. It did not matter to her what your color was, what sex you were, who your parents were. What mattered was that you were a child in need.

Our mother had a total of 12 children of her own. The number of children she raised is unknown. Some she took care of some for weeks, some months, others years. While she was a strict disciplinarian; it was in an effort to distill in us some of her sense of morality. We know right and wrong from her. We know the importance of self-reliance from her. Because of her, our extended family is huge. A list of all the persons she touched in their lives, as children, would probably never be written, but it is a long list. Children, always the children came first. Her roof was theirs, her food was theirs, her time was
theirs. She never cared for time off, she never took cruises or vacations. She never visited Paris or London, but she made sure so many of us who were in drastic need of a home, found one. She, and her selfless devotion to children, made sure that so many of us lived safely as children and gave us a better chance to become what we are today. Every one of us on that long, long list.

Our mother was a superwoman in fact She was a babysitter, a daycare worker, a foster parent, a mother, a wife, a neighborhood cook (many neighbors' children would find a ready plate of food after school at the Sankitts house), an accountant (she handled the money and books for her fisherman husband, Julio, for many years). When times were tough, she survived and made sure all of us who were under her care survived. Her accomplishments in her long life are simple to measure: those names....on that long, long list...

Life's journey will always end. It is always a sad occasion for the loved ones because of the physical loss, but it is also a celebration. A celebration of a life that did something for others, that left a lasting impression on many. We all lost a piece of our hearts with your passing, "Curu". May God have mercy on you and bless you forever.....