Niurka Sofia Victory

In Loving Memory

Niurka Sofía Victory

September 18, 1944 – September 25, 2020

Beloved Sister, Aunt and Friend

Niurka Sofía Victory was born in Havana, Cuba on September 18, 1944. She grew up blessed with a loving sister and doting parents. Growing up, Niurkita and her close extended family spent their summers riding bikes, playing games and enjoying each other’s company on the idyllic beaches of Guanabo, on the outskirts of Havana.

In 1966, Niurka escaped communism and emigrated to the U.S. with her parents, settling in Arlington, Va. where her sister Magaly lived. She held positions in finance for Arlington County and worked for the Division of Motor Vehicles for 15 years as a customer service representative.

In the last decade of her life, Niurka valiantly fought the debilitating effects of Dementia, which she succumbed to on September 25, 2020.

Niurka’s love of Cuba was deep in her soul. “La Cubanísima,” a nickname she gave herself, adored her older sister and affectionately called her “Mani.” They shared a close bond that only sisters can understand. They meant everything to each other and were there for each other through thick and thin.

Niurka was a kid at heart and loved to cook, decorate and dance, always leading the conga line at a wedding. She was a proud pet parent to countless canaries and a long line of Maltese puppies. Most of all, “Tata” was a devoted aunt and adored her niece Raquelita, Peter and grandnephews Andrew and Adam. She was a constant presence in the lives of her family and relished every moment she spent with them. Tata found extreme joy in making their birthdays memorable and was always front and center at every holiday and family gathering.

Niurka had a creative mind, entrepreneurial spirit and a zest for a life. She earned another nickname “Cerebrito” because she had the brains to fix anything and took pride in orchestrating family memories on our vacations. Her love of palm trees, flamingos, and butterflies might have seemed over the top for an outsider, but to us, it made complete sense. She was always smiling and sharing that signature laugh of hers, and if you were lucky, you would catch that twinkle in her eyes. Not surprisingly, Niurka was always helping anyone who needed a hand. She was such a great friend and would do anything for them.

Niurka was a treasure and will be sorely missed by all of her family and friends in Virginia, Tampa, Miami and Cuba. She will be honored and remembered with our deepest love and affection for the rest of our lives.

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