My beautiful, brilliant grandmother, Hermina Veronica Nobrega, passed away on Friday, March 15th. She is survived by her husband Herman Nobrega, her four children (Brian, Dexter, Roger, and Roxanne), her two grandchildren (Nadia and myself), her siblings, and countless nieces, nephews, and godchildren. Many people online may know her as the grandma who ironed her granddaughter's pride flag for D.C. Pride several years ago, but for myself and my family members she was far more than that.

My grandma dedicated her entire life to taking care of others. She made countless sacrifices in order to provide a better life for her family. She immigrated to the U.S. from Guyana in 1970. She went to school for nursing and worked as a nursing assistant for over 30 years. My grandmother always had a passion for taking care of others. She worked long night shifts taking care of elderly patients in a nursing home. When she ended her shifts and drove back to her house, she ran an at-home child care business during the day. She raised me from the day I was born and showed me how to be kind, compassionate, and strong. I share her middle name. I even called her Mom.

Even when she became ill with Alzheimer's and her memory started to fade, she held onto her fiery spirit. Her tiny 4'11" body hid a Herculean strength that I have never seen in anyone else. She never let go of who she was and she knew me to the very end. My grandmother held strong to her convictions, accepted me as I am, and she always told me, "Reach for the stars!" My grandmother is my star, and she will forever be the brightest star in the sky. I will celebrate her and her memorable laugh even while I cry. She was the mom I always needed. She provided unconditional love and kindness and touched the life of every single person that she ever met- and she touched the lives of thousands of people on the internet who she had never met through a single act of kindness. Most of all, my grandmother was generous even when she hardly had anything for herself. She always said that one hand washes the other. She was the best wife, mother, aunt, godmother, grandmother, friend, and caregiver.

My family requests that in lieu of flowers, please contribute to my grandmother's memorial fund for her funeral and burial expenses. Providing treatment and care for her Alzheimer's has been incredibly expensive. If we manage to exceed the memorial fund goal, the remaining funds will go towards her husband’s (my grandfather's) medical care as well as living expenses for him during this incredibly difficult time. Thank you all for honoring my grandmother.