María Lucila Núñez Fermín

María Lucila Núñez Fermín was born in Arroyo Frio in the idyllic, lush countryside “campo” in the vicinity of the small city of Moca in her native Dominican Republic. She was one of 13 children; the seventh child and third daughter. Affectionately called “Tita” by younger siblings Gilda, Dalida, José and nephew/”brother” Millo, they regarded her as a second mother for whom they had the utmost respect and love. She cherished and adored her parents and siblings, and was extremely close to them.

 María immigrated to Boston, Massachusetts in the United States from the Dominican Republic in 1973 with her daughter, Ingrid, to join María’s husband, Victor Manuel Belete. María and Victor later had two other children born in Boston, Victor “Tito” and Edwin. María focused on raising her family until her children were of an age when she decided to go to school to learn English, and then go through training to become a certified nurse’s assistant. She began to work at the Marion Manor Nursing Home in South Boston where she was employed for more than 20 years until she retired. She also held a second job for many years at the Armenian Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Jamaica Plain. She was an exemplary employee who received many accolades and awards. She was known for her incredibly high work ethic: always coming to work early; working late and hardly ever taking a sick-day. She was dearly loved by all patients under her care for her empathy and compassion, and the amazing care she provided. She always went above and beyond. María loved working in healthcare and loved every opportunity to deepen her knowledge of health and medicine. There is no doubt that if life had offered her the chance, she would have become a gifted medical doctor. She was also incredibly proud of becoming fluent in English.

Maria was deeply humble, full of integrity and had a heart of gold. She was a loving, caring, devoted mother and grandmother. She liked going for walks in her neighborhood and being connected to her local community. She enjoyed reading books and local newspapers, and keeping abreast of current events. She loved comedy films, especially featuring Mexican actors Cantinflas and Eugenio Derbez. She was a very loving and involved grandmother who took great pride in her grandchildren. They will miss her love; how funny she was; and all her delicious Dominican cooking. She was the unrivaled master of making the best pernil ever, one no one will ever be able to replicate!

María was a very devout Catholic, following the example set by her mother. For many years, she attended mass every week at St. Francis Chapel in Boston’s Prudential Center. She also periodically attended masses at St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine, and she enjoyed participating in retreats at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston’s South End.

María is predeceased by her little daughter, Soila Violeta de Leon Núñez; parents Rafael María Núñez Almánzar and María Carlostina Fermín Rosario de Núñez; and siblings: Ramón Antonio; Ana Mercedes; Rafael Alberto; Juan Sigfredo; Pablo Antonio; María Altagracia; Hermenegilda Altagracia (Gilda) and José Antonio. 

She is survived by her three children: daughter, Ingrid María Belete Núñez; sons, Victor José Belete Núñez and Edwin Alberto Belete Núñez; granddaughter, María Chabél Uwase Byamana, and grandson Andreas Nshimiye Byamana. She is also survived by her sisters Andrea Dolores, Gloria Mercedes, Carmen Violeta, Dalida María, nephew/”brother” Manuel Emilio (Millo) Rofriguez Núñez and the vast Núñez extended family.

We know, affirm, and believe with absolute faith and conviction that our mother, grandmother and sister will be received in the hands of Jesus and the Holy Father. We pray for her joyous reunion with her daughter, Soila, her parents, deceased siblings, and loved ones. 

Thank you for all the incredible sacrifices you made for us, your children and grandchildren, the selfless love you gave us, and instilling in us your values. You are irreplaceable, and we will cherish and carry your memory with us in our hearts forever and until we are reunited with you again. We love you Mami! We love you Mamá!

Services will be private, arrangements by Driscoll Funeral Home, Haverhill. For guestbook, visit www.driscollcares.com

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