Maria Inocencia Nuñez: Pioneer and Beloved Professor and Educator

Maria I. Nuñez, a beloved mother, cherished educator, and extraordinary pioneer in bilingual and dual language education, passed away peacefully at the age of 97 on November 16, 2025, at Guardian Angels Care Center in Elk River, Minnesota. Born on February 13, 1928, in Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico, Maria was the youngest daughter of Felix Amadeo Velasco and Amparo Suro Cortes.

From her native Puerto Rico to educational corridors in the United States, Maria Nuñez dedicated her life to teaching and nurturing a passion for learning in others. Her journey began in Puerto Rico, where she earned a degree in education from the University of Puerto Rico in Río Piedras. She furthered her studies with a Master of Arts in Linguistics from Georgetown University, focusing on Languages and Communication.

Maria Nuñez’s career took her from teaching at-risk students in La Perla, San Juan, to Maracaibo, Venezuela, during the restoration of democracy following the overthrow of the Pérez Jiménez dictatorship in 1958. In Maracaibo, she taught English as a Second Language at Liceo Udon Pérez, where she met her late husband, Iván Darío Nuñez (marriage: April 9, 1960.) During this era of resurgent higher education in Venezuela, Maria was a founding faculty member of the newly established Facultad de Humanidades y Educación, Departamento de Lenguas Modernas at the Universidad del Zulia. Over the years, she educated hundreds of Venezuelan teachers in English as a Second Language pedagogy and eventually served as Department Chair.

With her children seeking educational opportunities in the United States, Maria and her husband, Iván Darío, relocated to the U.S. She joined the Ysleta Independent School District’s Dual Language Program in El Paso, Texas, as a bilingual educator for Mexican and Mexican-American children. Later, she continued her impactful work in the Cleveland School District, furthering her commitment to dual language education for children of Puerto Rican descent.

Maria was recognized as Teacher of the Year in Cleveland, a testament to her dedication and excellence in education. Her work left an indelible mark on the communities she served, fostering environments of growth and a love for learning.

Her personal joys included dancing and the timeless melodies of Puerto Rican composer Rafael Hernández, with favorite songs such as “Lamento Borincano,” “Campanitas de Cristal,” and “Capullito de Alelí.” She often sang Noel Estrada’s “En mi Viejo San Juan.” She delighted in bringing joy to others through song and dance and loved the poetry of Gabriela Mistral and Robert Frost.

Maria was preceded in death by her husband Iván Darío Nuñez, her siblings Julio Enrique, Gilberto, Néstor, Rubén, Luis and Felicita (Tita) and son-in-law Jim Babcock.

She leaves behind a legacy of love and education cherished by her surviving family: Marisela (Marcie) Babcock (Jim) and their son Edmund Babcock; Iván Enrique Nuñez and his husband Clay Schotzko; and Mariela Nuñez-Janes, her husband Joe Janes, and their daughter Gabriela (Gabi) Nuñez-Janes.

The family is grateful for the professional care and love of the Guardian Angels staff and the community that was Maria’s home.

Maria’s passion was to foster potential in others, and her life was a testament to the power and importance of education, literature, and family. Her legacy continues to guide and inspire her family today and in future generations.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. http://www.stjude.org/donate