FISHKILL – Hilda C. (Matos) Sotomayor, a resident of Fishkill since 2000 and formerly of the Bronx, passed away on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at the Lutheran Care Center in Poughkeepsie, NY. She was 84.
Daughter of the late Jaime Matos and Alicia Reyes Matos, she was born in the Bronx on August 4, 1936 and attended Jane Adams High School in the Bronx. Hilda began her career with New York Telephone Company, where she worked as a switchboard operator for many years before raising her family. She then went on to work for HIP (Health Insurance Plan) in Manhattan, where she made many friends with whom she remained in contact for years. She retired in 1997.
With a love for Salsa and other Latin music genres, Hilda was a great dancer and always enjoyed reminiscing about her youth and attending performances at New York City’s Roseland Ballroom and other dance halls. In addition to dancing, she also enjoyed listening to music, talking on the phone, shopping and always found time to re-connect with family and friends.
Hilda was a dedicated mother first and foremost, and was immensely proud of her family. She treasured her children and embraced every moment with them. She especially loved her role as Grandma. She had an upbeat and at times mischievous personality and always made people around her laugh. She’d either “tell it like it is” or offer a kind word or story to share. Hilda made friends everywhere she went and her caregivers at Lutheran Care Center loved her as well. As her health declined, she still was able to keep an upbeat attitude. You’d often find her talking and reminiscing on the telephone with family and friends, or with the residents and staff who she got to know and cared about very much.
She is survived by her son, Daniel Sotomayor of Weehawken, NJ; her daughter, Janet Ranucci & her husband Rocco of Vestal, NY; her daughter, Alice Quintana & her husband Manuel of Beacon, NY; her grandchildren, Alyssa Ranucci, Anthony Ranucci, Marcus Quintana, and Emily Quintana; her sister, Margaret O’Connell; and her brother, Edward Matos. Other survivors include a multitude of nieces and nephews in addition to her siblings-in-law, all of whom she cared for very much, as well as many other loving relatives & dear friends. She also leaves behind her devoted Yorkipoo, Pepper.
Hilda was predeceased by her parents as well as her brother, James Matos; her beloved friend, Maria Ortiz; and her former husband, Daniel Sotomayor.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions and limited space, services will be private. Relatives & friends can view the funeral service (and burial to follow) via livestream at wwww.mchoulfuneralhome.com starting at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 14. Hilda will be laid to rest at Fishkill Rural Cemetery in Fishkill, NY.
In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions can be made in her memory to the Food Bank For New York City, Attn: Development, 39 Broadway, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10006 (www.foodbanknyc.org).
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the physicians, nurses, aides and staff at Lutheran Care Center, who provided her with the utmost care and support for the last three years.
Arrangements are under the direction of the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill, NY. For online tributes and livestream access, please visit Hilda’s Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.