Betsaida “Betsy” Nieves

Betsy Nieves was a strong, principled woman, private but not afraid to speak her mind. She was the rock of the Nieves home, the glue that kept the family together throughout all of life’s trials. She was devoted to her family, and through her example, taught her kids the right way to live. Betsy’s greatest pride in her life was her men – her husband and her sons – and her legacy will live on through their actions.

Betsaida was born on July 23, 1960, to proud parents Francisco and Luz Haydee (Torres) Trujillo. Betsy, as she soon came to be called, was the baby of the family, with four older siblings: Bobby, Jenny, Sonia, and Gladys. The Trujillo family lived in the Brewers Hill area of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Betsy had lots of fun hanging out with her siblings and friends.

One of her neighborhood friends was a young man named Roberto Nieves, who later ended up with the nickname “Blackie.” Although Betsy didn’t know it at the time, she caught Blackie’s attention early on – he remembers telling one of his friends that Betsy would be his wife one day. Their friendship officially started when they were freshman, and Blackie got Betsy’s attention by jokingly pushing her into a locker at school. Betsy turned and told Blackie that she was going to get him – this challenge sparked their romance.

After graduating from Lincoln High School on Milwaukee’s east side, Betsy continued to date Blackie. The young couple could often be found at the ball park, where Blackie and his friends liked to gather for baseball and softball games, barbeques, and picnics. Starting in 1978, Betsy and Blackie were blessed with three sons, whom they named Roberto Jr., Robertino, and Tomas. In January of 1988, Betsy and Blackie traveled to Las Vegas, where they celebrated their commitment to one another by getting married.

Betsy’s four boys – Blackie, Roberto Jr., Robertino, and Tomas – were everything to her. Her life was all about her men, and she supported them in all their endeavors. When the kids had games, Betsy was their number one fan. She was “the best mom,” not only to her own children, but to anyone who entered her home. A wonderful cook, Betsy’s party rice was in constant demand, and nobody ever went away from the Nieves home hungry.

In 1997, Betsy started working outside the home at the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. She had a strong work ethic, and never missed a day of work if she could help it. Betsy passed this attitude on to her sons, teaching them that if you have a job to do, you get up and go to work.

Sadly, in March of this year Betsy began to suffer from some health issues. Although she fought courageously, her condition gradually worsened, and she entered St. Luke’s Medical Center on October 17, 2012.

Hard-working, strong, and loyal, Betsy was a devoted wife, a loving mother and grandmother, and a true friend. She will be deeply missed by her many friends and family members.

Betsaida “Betsy” Nieves died on October 21, 2012, surrounded by her family and friends, at the age of 52. Betsy’s family includes her husband, Roberto “Blackie” Nieves; her children, Roberto Jr., Robertino, and Tomas R. Nieves; her grandchildren, Devin, Marissa Rose, Penelope, and Isabella; her parents, Luz and the late Francisco Trujillo; her siblings, Bobby Trujillo, Jenny (Edwin Caraballo) Trujillo, Sonia (Steve) Sandrin and Gladys (Tito) Ayala; her father-in-law, Tomas Nieves; and other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 25, at the Suminski LifeStory Funeral Home, 1901 N. Farwell Ave, 414-276-5122. A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 26, at St. Francis Church (4th and Brown St.). Meet at the church. Entombment will be at Wisconsin Memorial Park. Please visit Betsy’s personal memory page at www.SuminskiFuneralHome.com, where you can learn more about her life, share a favorite memory or photo, and sign the online guestbook.