* Presidenta de la Hermandad del Señor de los Milagros de Queens falleció el 3 de julio tras servir a su comunidad por más de 50 años
“Fue siempre una luchadora, una guerrera incansable”, indicó su hija Carmen Newman-Bissell. “Quedará su obra y el recuerdo de una vida ejemplar”.
Bertha Limo Newman, rest in peace
Bertha Limo Newman, longtime resident of Woodside, NY. Passed away on July 3, 2021
She was 88 years young. Born in Chiclayo, Peru to Felix Limo and Rosa Buendia Malpartida. She attended trade school in Chiclayo and worked for a local firm. In 1965 her curiosity and unsatisfied sense of adventure led her to travel to New York City on vacation where she decided to stay.
In Queens, she met and soon married William Newman. During that time, they raised 5 daughters while opening several businesses. Divine intervention led to her greatest accomplishment and life’s mission, the founding of The Hermandad del Señor de los Milagros. Inc (The Brotherhood of the Lord of Miracles).
This devotion began in Lima, Peru in the middle of the 17th century. Bertha was not able to find a similar following in New York City, so she became determined to spread this devotion starting with a small photo she brought from Peru. Soon the Holy Mass and procession was celebrated in Saint Benedict Church, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and then to almost every church in Queens. The Señor de los Milagros Holy Mass is celebrated every Sunday in October followed by a procession throughout the five boroughs, Bertha spent countless hours planning this procession with her brotherhood. The devoutness to the Lord of Miracles draws thousands of followers every year all over the tristate area. This Holy Mass and procession is presently celebrated locally at St. Sebastian’s Church.
Bertha was very active in the Hispanic Community of Queens and Manhattan and she was known to be an advocate for Latino immigrants. She would go out of her way in any way possible to help anyone who needed it. In 2010 Bertha was the recipient of the Catholic Migration Office Shining Star Award.
Bertha was an avid international traveller. Deeply rooted in her Peruvian culture, frequently listening and dancing to her native music of la Marinera and el Huayno. She enjoyed good food and cafe con leche was always on the table!
Bertha is predeceased by her husband, William Newman of 49 years. She is survived by a loving family of five daughters and sons-in-law:
Denise & Sean McCloskey. Carmen & Bill Bissell, Frances & Luis Ruiz, Mina Newman & Francisco Estudillo, Rebecca Newman & Brian Mahoney.
Ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren: Julie (Tal Yoffee) , Tony, Samantha, Christian, Rita, Shane, Billy, Adam, Mia, Valentina, Jacob and Jenni.
Nuestra Gente Digital 