Vega, Hilda Enelia's Obituary
Hilda Enelia Vega Martinez, lovingly known as Nelly, passed away peacefully on May 23, 2025, at the age of 84, in Catoosa, Oklahoma. Born on April 9, 1941, in Morovis, Puerto Rico, to Felicita Martinez and Francisco Vega, Nelly lived a rich and beautiful life rooted in faith, family, and strength.
Throughout her life, she called Puerto Rico, Arizona, and Oklahoma home, bringing her warmth and grace wherever she went. Nelly was known for her classy demeanor and her iconic hairstyle—unchanging through the seasons of life, a symbol of her strength and elegance.
At a young age, Nelly gave her life to Christ, was baptized as a teenager, and never looked back. Her unwavering devotion to God defined her life. For the past 12 years, she was a dedicated member of the Tulsa Spoken Word Tabernacle, where she was known as a true prayer warrior—always eager to listen and lift others up in prayer.
On May 18, 1963, she married the love of her life, Nelson Benitez, in Puerto Rico. Though she lost her husband at just 40 years old, Nelly raised their five children with courage, resilience, and deep love. She was fiercely protective, deeply nurturing, and a pillar of strength to her family.
Nelly adored her role as a grandmother, often seen cheering during a ball game or sitting at the table playing Chinese checkers or Uno. She also found joy in cooking delicious meals, spending time with family, and serving others with compassion. Adventurous and independent, Nelly met life with a quiet, enduring strength that left a lasting impression on all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Nelson Benitez, her parents Felicita and Francisco, her brothers Luis, José, and Virgilio Vega, and her great-grandson Aiden Ocasio.
She is survived by her son Jonathan Benitez and his wife Marie; daughter Janet and her husband Jim Riggs; daughter Ivonne and her husband Daniel Ocasio; daughter Jalissa and her husband Denis Letendre; and son David Benitez and his wife Jenny. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Andrew Ocasio and his wife Kaytee, Jesse Ocasio and his wife Rebekah, Madison and her husband Christian Simon, Sabrina Letendre, Jeremy Benitez, Alex Benitez, David Benitez, and Joseph Letendre. Her great-grandchildren include Macey Simon, Ezra Ocasio, Ryker Ocasio, and Micah Ocasio. She is additionally survived by her siblings Petra Vega, Manuel Vega and his wife Aida, and Eugenio Vega and his wife Luz.
Nelly leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, and resilience. Her memory will live on in the hearts of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her church family, and all those blessed to have known her.
Her life was a testament to the beauty of strength in gentleness and faith in action. She will be dearly missed and forever cherished.
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