Obituary of Hilda Iris Sorell Melecio

Hilda Iris “Dally” Sorell (nee Santana Melecio), age 74, passed away on January 20, 2021 due to Covid-19 in her adopted City of Camden. She was born in Barrio Espinosa, Vega Alta, Puerto Rico, on 29 October, 1946. She was the fifth child born to Juan Santana and Arcelia Melecio. Beloved wife of José E. Delgado and mother of Ana Cecilia Delgado Santana and Michael R. Sorell, and, loving grandmother of Alijah E. Fontañez Delgado. Dear sister of María Cecilia Santana Castillo, Eunice Santana Vélez, Eleuteria Santana Smith, Juan Santana Melecio, and Joshua Santana Melecio. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. In 1950, seeking better opportunities, the family moved to “El Barrio” in NYC and six years later they settled in the Bronx. Hilda and her siblings were educated in the NYC Public Schools (NYCPS). At five she learned English through total immersion. Due to health reasons her parents enrolled her in the Fresh Air Fund and she spent 8-summers with the same family in New Hampshire. She considered these years as one of the most unique experiences in her life. Her fruitful life was deeply rooted in a family that supported and encouraged her to never shrink from life’s challenges. Another important source of her strength and sense of service was developed by her membership in La Iglesisa La Hermosa. She was also fortunate to have been a charter member of the ASPIRA program during her teenage years. These were, in her estimation, the central elements that enabled her to safely navigate through the dangers of growing up in the ghettos of New York. Hilda graduated from Walton High School and received a BA and MS from Hunter College. She also completed and surpassed post graduate course requirements to also obtain various administrative certifications. She began her professional career in the NYCPS system as an early childhood teacher in 1969. During her tenure she also served as a Vice-Principal and Central Office Administrator. She was known as a talented teacher, able administrator and worthy role model, especially to the many teachers she mentored. She retired from the NYCPS in 1990. In 1990 she was employed by the School District of Philadelphia as an early childhood teacher and went on to become a cluster office administrator. From 1998 to 2000 she worked as a central office administrator in the Reading School District. She then returned to the Philly schools where she retired in 2006. In 1983 she joined her husband in Camden, NJ. During the ensuing 38-years she took part in or led efforts to empower people wherever she was. Her activism took form in such activities as voter registration and education efforts; parent and student empowerment activities; serving on the Berks County United Way Board; advocating for the accurate accounting of Hispanic in the 2000 Census Organizing Committee; sharing her expertise with local schools; participating in Camden’s Puerto Rican Parade; and running her husband’s 1990 Mayoral campaign. For more than a decade Hilda occupied various leadership positions on the Puerto Rican Unity for Progress (PRUP) Board of Directors. In her humble and unassuming way she dedicated her entire life to the struggle for social justice for her community and the disenfranchised. Her quiet times were full of all things puzzles, casino trips, religiously watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, reading mystery novels, dancing, attending live jazz jam sessions, and watching cooking/DIY/murder television shows. And central to it all - a good bottle of wine. She will be remembered by her family as a quiet person that no one should cross, a great cook and a loving member of the family of (wo)man. Due to the current public health crisis caused by COVID19, all services are being handled privately. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Hilda's memory to the Puerto Rican Unity for Progress at 818 Broadway, Camden, NJ 08103.