Her death has left a deep void in a church and community that relied on her presence and generous spirit.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was my right hand,\u201d said an emotional Lorna Wilson, the food pantry coordinator at Faith United Methodist Church. \u201cMy go-to. She was everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Nilsa](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/B6VGCCBDTZFKNCNGDLBN5D4N2U.jpeg\")
Nilsa Cruz, 66, is remembered for many roles including her tireless volunteer work with the Faith United Methodist Church food pantry in Port Richmond.(Courtesy of Lorna Wilson)<\/p>\n
Cruz joined the church around 2022 after Wilson invited her to attend a service. It did not take long for her to become part of the fabric of the congregation. She soon became a member, professing her faith and committing herself to a life of service.<\/p>\n
Week after week, Cruz prepared Holy Communion with care, understanding the sacredness of the ritual. She greeted worshippers at the door with warmth, often remembering names and faces. <\/p>\n
After services, she stayed behind, collecting hymnals and tidying the sanctuary, making sure the space was ready for the next gathering.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe believed the small things mattered,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cAnd she did them with love.\u201d<\/p>\n
Much of Cruz\u2019s time was also spent at the church\u2019s food pantry, where her impact reached far beyond the house of worship.<\/p>\n
Drawing on years of experience from her work with the West Brighton Pantry for Project Hospitality, Cruz helped organize shelves, stock supplies and prepare for the steady flow of residents seeking assistance.<\/p>\n
![\"Nilsa](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/HXEFH5T7AJGLXLW7OXPT2H63JY.jpeg\")
Volunteers and organizers of the food pantry, including Nilsa Cruz (third from right), took time to pose for a photo with Assemblyman Charles Fall and visitors from Washington D.C. who helped on Aug. 8, 2025.(Advance\/SILive.com |Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n
Her bilingual skills were especially valuable. Cruz helped Spanish-speaking guests navigate the pantry, offering reassurance and dignity. Volunteers often said her calm presence made people feel safe and respected, Wilson explained.<\/p>\n
In May, Cruz\u2019s tireless efforts were recognized when she received the Staten Island Council of Churches Community Service Award. Those close to her said she accepted the honor humbly, as she did everything else.<\/p>\n
Cruz\u2019s service extended beyond the church. She also worked as a polling clerk with the Board of Elections; a role she took seriously as part of her responsibility to the community she loved.<\/p>\n
Cruz was known for her dependability and punctuality, Wilson said. Her goddaughter, Marissa Thompson, 29, whom she had raised following the loss of Thompson\u2019s mother, had been living with Cruz at the time of the crash and was also injured.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I said, \u2018Meet me at 10,\u2019 they\u2019d meet me at 9:30,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cThat was her. Always ready. Always there.\u201d<\/p>\n