Nilda Rodriguez Pedrosa
February 24, 1974 - January 23, 2021
Nilda Rodriguez Pedrosa was a beloved wife, an exceptional daughter, an adoring mother, and a spectacular friend. She died on January 23, 2021 after her courageous battle with cancer. Her passion for service – service to her family, service to her community, and service to her country – defined her.
Nilda was in born in Miami on February 24, 1974, and graduated from St. Hugh Catholic School, Our Lady of Lourdes Academy, Miami-Dade College, Florida International University and New England Law. She was married to her college sweetheart, Eliot Pedrosa, for twenty-one years.
Nilda lit up every room she walked into with her infectious energy, signature pearl necklaces, elegant scarves, and big sunglasses. She was smart, engaging, generous, loyal, kind, thoughtful, and made friends everywhere she went. Everyone knew Nilda. She was as fun and warm as she was determined and passionate. She also loved to laugh.
Her two-year old children, Elias and Emma Rose, made her eyes sparkle and filled her heart with joyful love. She doted on them, and the last three years of her life, were the happiest she’d ever known. Elias has his mother’s warmth, her empathy, and her generosity. Emma Rose has her fearlessness, her determination, and her flair for style. Her love for them was boundless, and her spirit will surely guide them to live as she did, with purpose and a loving heart.
Nilda’s career in public service was among the most impactful in Florida’s recent history. She served in the administrations of two U.S. Presidents, and served for two U.S. Senators, a Member of Congress, Florida’s Attorney General, and three different Judicial Nominating Commissions spanning the administrations of four Florida Governors.
In the administration of President George W. Bush, she was Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs for the U.S. State Department. She served as the Chief of Staff to two Florida elected officials: Attorney General Pam Bondi and Congressman Mario-Diaz Balart. As a Senior Policy Advisor to United States Senator Mel Martinez and an informal advisor to Senator John McCain, Nilda was instrumental in congressional efforts to reform the nation’s immigration laws.
Most recently, Nilda served again at the U.S. State Department, designated by Secretary Mike Pompeo to serve in the role of Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, making her the highest-ranking woman at the State Department at the time, and only the second Hispanic to serve as an Under Secretary, the third-highest rank within the department.
Nilda was equally passionate about her service as an Executive Board Member of Amigos for Kids, a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect, and her service as a member of the Board of the US Cuba Democracy PAC, an organization dedicated to advancing the cause of freedom and human rights in Cuba.
Nilda is survived by her loving husband Eliot, children Elias and Emma Rose, parents Nilda and Ricardo, brother Rick, and a community of friends who will forever remember her not only for what she said and what she did, but for how she made them feel.
The viewing will be held on Friday, January 29, from 6-10 pm at Maspons Funeral Home, 3500 Southwest 8th Street (across the street from Versailles, where Nilda could often be found). The funeral mass will be held on Saturday, January 30, at 9:30 a.m. and will be live streamed on Zoom, using Webinar ID 976 4723 7785 (no password required), or click here. At all of these, COVID precautions/restrictions apply and masks must be worn at all times. Nilda will be laid to rest at Woodlawn South Cemetery, 11655 Southwest 117th Avenue on Saturday at noon.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Amigos for Kids, AmigosforKids.org.
Remembrances for Nilda can be submitted online at http://bit.ly/3iU26zz
