Luisa Ávila, former first lady of Vieques, died on Friday, June 1, after a lingering and painful illness, which she bore with Christian fortitude and pious resignation. She was born on the island of Vieques, May 1, 1911, the daughter of Santiago Nieves Colón and his wife, Damiana Garay Soto. Her husband, former Mayor Antonio Ávila Ríos, died 40 years ago. He served as mayor of Vieques from 1944 to 1948, elected to office during World War II. “Doña Luisa,” as she was affectionately known by friends and family alike, had been a longtime resident at the Wilford Pedro Home for the Elderly (formerly Whim Gardens), in Frederiksted, St. Croix. She has left her family on St. Croix and a large circle of relatives outside of St. Croix to deplore the loss of an affectionate mother and beloved sister. May her soul be ushered into heaven and bound up in the bond of eternal life.
