1948
Nivia
2016
Nivia Nieves Fisch
January 18, 1948 — September 15, 2016
After a hard fought battle with cancer, Nivia Nieves Fisch, surrounded by her family, passed peacefully into her next life in Harlingen, Texas, She was 68 years old.
She blessed and is survived by her devoted husband Stan, her sons Harold and Nathan, her siblings Gloria, Migdalia, Sonia and Julio, and her innumerable friends who brought her so much joy throughout her life, and gracious aide to her and her family in her final days.
Nivia was born the middle of five children of Lydia and Julio Nieves, a farm worker and barber in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. When she was 8 years old her family moved to the Bronx in New York City, where her father found work in a mattress factory. Though her family was very poor and struggled for many years, they were able to provide a loving home and the foundations for a wonderful future for Nivia.
Nivia was a bright student and advanced quickly through school. She became a nurse after attending a vocational high school and Bronx Community College. During her student years she met a young medical student named Stanley, who became the love of her life. They were married in 1970 and remained happily together for 46 years.
In 1973 Nivia and Stan moved to Harlingen on assignment with the US Public Health Service. Though they expected to stay for only two or three years, they found themselves deeply committed to the Valley community, and to their shared life mission of providing healthcare to the area.
In 1976, after continuing her training, Nivia became and began her service as a Nurse-Midwife. Alongside her mentor, role model, and dear friend Sister Angela Murdaugh, she established a birth center within Su Clinca Familiar in Harlingen, and was delighted to see it grow into a major provider of maternity care.
Nivia continued her service to the women and families of the Rio Grande Valley in 1983 when she joined Harlingen Obstetrics-Gynecology Associates and with Drs. Martinez and Munoz, then later Drs. Cantu and Torres, created what became a model of collaborative midwifery practice. In 1994 Nivia became the first nurse-midwife in the Valley to be credentialed to work in a hospital. At Valley Baptist Medical Center, and later at Harlingen Medical Center, Nivia extended her model of collaborative midwifery practice in a hospital setting. Over the years, from her days at Su Clinica until her retirement in 2014, Nivia was deeply honored to take part in the delivery of more than 7,000 babies.
Nivia was active in the American College of Nurse Midwives, who honored her in 2015 for her service by naming her a Fellow of the College and awarding her their National Service Award.
Over the years Nivia taught nursing and nurse midwifery in many programs around the country. In the Valley, Nivia served for many years as member and president of the board of directors of Holy Family Birth Center in Weslaco. She also served on the faculty of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio as part of their RAHC campus, introducing medical students to gentle, non-interventive childbirth.
She was a proud and active member of the Jewish community in the Valley, and was a part of the congregations of both Temple Beth El in Brownsville and Temple Beth Israel in Harlingen, serving at various times on the boards of each.
Nivia was a light to her family, friends and this community. The amount of joy and love she provided to the people in her life are immeasurable. The family would like to offer their sincerest gratitude to the friends, families, and medical professionals who offered their time and assistance to Nivia in her time of passing.
The family would like to ask that in lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider making a generous donation in Nivia’s honor to a charity of your choice.
May her memory be a blessing as was her life.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, September 16, 2016, at 10:00 a.m., at Restlawn Memorial Park in La Feria.
An Evening Service will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at 7:30 p.m., at Temple Beth Israel, 1702 E. Jackson, Harlingen, TX 78550.
You are invited to sign the guestbook or share a memory at www.buckashcraft.com.
Arrangements are with Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home, 710 Ed Carey Dr., Harlingen, TX 78550, (956) 423-3636.
She blessed and is survived by her devoted husband Stan, her sons Harold and Nathan, her siblings Gloria, Migdalia, Sonia and Julio, and her innumerable friends who brought her so much joy throughout her life, and gracious aide to her and her family in her final days.
Nivia was born the middle of five children of Lydia and Julio Nieves, a farm worker and barber in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. When she was 8 years old her family moved to the Bronx in New York City, where her father found work in a mattress factory. Though her family was very poor and struggled for many years, they were able to provide a loving home and the foundations for a wonderful future for Nivia.
Nivia was a bright student and advanced quickly through school. She became a nurse after attending a vocational high school and Bronx Community College. During her student years she met a young medical student named Stanley, who became the love of her life. They were married in 1970 and remained happily together for 46 years.
In 1973 Nivia and Stan moved to Harlingen on assignment with the US Public Health Service. Though they expected to stay for only two or three years, they found themselves deeply committed to the Valley community, and to their shared life mission of providing healthcare to the area.
In 1976, after continuing her training, Nivia became and began her service as a Nurse-Midwife. Alongside her mentor, role model, and dear friend Sister Angela Murdaugh, she established a birth center within Su Clinca Familiar in Harlingen, and was delighted to see it grow into a major provider of maternity care.
Nivia continued her service to the women and families of the Rio Grande Valley in 1983 when she joined Harlingen Obstetrics-Gynecology Associates and with Drs. Martinez and Munoz, then later Drs. Cantu and Torres, created what became a model of collaborative midwifery practice. In 1994 Nivia became the first nurse-midwife in the Valley to be credentialed to work in a hospital. At Valley Baptist Medical Center, and later at Harlingen Medical Center, Nivia extended her model of collaborative midwifery practice in a hospital setting. Over the years, from her days at Su Clinica until her retirement in 2014, Nivia was deeply honored to take part in the delivery of more than 7,000 babies.
Nivia was active in the American College of Nurse Midwives, who honored her in 2015 for her service by naming her a Fellow of the College and awarding her their National Service Award.
Over the years Nivia taught nursing and nurse midwifery in many programs around the country. In the Valley, Nivia served for many years as member and president of the board of directors of Holy Family Birth Center in Weslaco. She also served on the faculty of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio as part of their RAHC campus, introducing medical students to gentle, non-interventive childbirth.
She was a proud and active member of the Jewish community in the Valley, and was a part of the congregations of both Temple Beth El in Brownsville and Temple Beth Israel in Harlingen, serving at various times on the boards of each.
Nivia was a light to her family, friends and this community. The amount of joy and love she provided to the people in her life are immeasurable. The family would like to offer their sincerest gratitude to the friends, families, and medical professionals who offered their time and assistance to Nivia in her time of passing.
The family would like to ask that in lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider making a generous donation in Nivia’s honor to a charity of your choice.
May her memory be a blessing as was her life.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, September 16, 2016, at 10:00 a.m., at Restlawn Memorial Park in La Feria.
An Evening Service will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at 7:30 p.m., at Temple Beth Israel, 1702 E. Jackson, Harlingen, TX 78550.
You are invited to sign the guestbook or share a memory at www.buckashcraft.com.
Arrangements are with Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home, 710 Ed Carey Dr., Harlingen, TX 78550, (956) 423-3636.
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