Aida D. Martinez

Aida D. Martinez, 79

Aida D. Martinez of Lake Wales passed away Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at Advent Health Lake Wales.

She was born May 26, 1941 in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico to the late Esteban and Catalina Nieves; she moved to the United States at the age of 16, moving to Florida from New Jersey in 1999 where she has resided for the last 21 years. Aida was a homemaker and was a devout Evangelical Christian. She was a quiet person who enjoyed reading, sewing, singing with her family, cooking large meals for family and friends, and flower gardening.

Aida was preceded in death by her son, Gilberto Vargas; and three brothers. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Rafael Martinez; daughters, Millie Martinez Rivera and husband Francisco Rivera-Rolon of Lake Wales, and Nidia I. Martinez of Lake Wales; sisters, Daisy Nieves, Lydia Rosario, and Noemi Nieves, all of Massachusetts; grandchildren, Gilbert Vargas, Freddy Vargas, Adriana Morales, and Ryan Rivera; and six great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until the funeral service at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 28, 2021 at the Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales with Pastor Tony Pagan officiating. The family welcomes floral gifts or in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org). Interment will take place at the Sarasota National Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family and a live webcast of the service can be viewed at www.marionnelsonfuneralhome.com .