Dominga Márquez, the Guatemalan immigrant who became a symbol of struggle and resilience in New York
From El Diario NY
By Montserrat Arqué
April 21, 2026
A 76-year-old Hispanic woman leaves her mark on a NYC senior care facility after reinventing herself following a stroke and leading charitable initiatives.
New York welcomed Dominga Márquez in 1991. What was meant to be a stay of barely a year—driven by her sister and her daughter’s dreams—turned into an entire lifetime.
More than three decades later, the 76-year-old Guatemalan woman bids farewell to the city that witnessed her reinvention, marked by a tribute held in her honor this Monday, April 20, at The New Jewish Home—the Upper West Side care facility where she has resided since 2014.
Founded in 1848, it is one of the country’s oldest institutions for elder care, offering specialized nursing services, post-operative rehabilitation, adult day care, assisted living, and home care to New Yorkers of all backgrounds.
The celebration brought together residents, staff, and volunteers who, over the course of 11 years, shared with Márquez not only hallways and dining rooms but also crises, joys, and the certainty that a community can be built even when life takes an unexpected turn.
A Stroke That Changed Everything—But Did Not Break Her Spirit
In 2014, Dominga was walking to church when she suffered a stroke that left her partially paralyzed on her right side. “I didn’t know what was happening, where I was, and I was very scared,” she recalled in an interview with NY1, where she was recognized as “New Yorker of the Week.” Through intensive physical therapy, she managed to regain her speech and mobility, although her right side remained permanently impaired.
What followed was—according to those who know her—an unparalleled demonstration of adaptability and determination. Márquez decided to resume knitting and crocheting—two lifelong passions—despite having only one functional arm. With the aid of a loom and a hair tie, she developed her own technique and began creating once again.
“You can never be the same person you were before. You have to be a new person. Different. Someone who can do all the same things, but not in the same way as before,” she added. But Márquez did not stop at the personal satisfaction of her craft alone. She founded and led the “Hand in Hand” committee—a resident-led initiative that creates handmade items (scarves, hats, paintings) to sell, donating the proceeds to organizations with a global impact. Over the years, the committee raised thousands of dollars for causes such as Doctors Without Borders, New York Cares, and Operation Smile.
“Dominga strengthened our community through her integrity and her support for others. She faced a pivotal moment in her life with determination and resilience. Thanks to her leadership, she motivated and inspired her colleagues to contribute and support one another during the pandemic,” said Dr. Jeffrey Farber, President and CEO of The New Jewish Home. Márquez herself summed it up simply: “I feel good when I can give something to someone. Here, knowing that we could help those causes was important.”
Her Distinctions and Contributions in New York
Mentor, Ally, and Companion in Difficult Times
Márquez’s influence transcended her own recovery process. As part of the SkillSpring program—an initiative by The New Jewish Home that prepares young New Yorkers for careers in geriatric care—Márquez worked directly with high school students, guiding them through knitting projects and offering them companionship, all while having the limited use of only one hand.
During the toughest years of the COVID-19 pandemic—when isolation hit older adults in care facilities particularly hard—Márquez became an emotional anchor for her fellow residents. And when the time came to celebrate diversity, she was among those who marched in the city’s LGBT+ Pride Parade, standing as an open and proud ally.
A Tribute and a New Chapter in Guatemala
This Monday, The New Jewish Home hosted a farewell celebration to honor her journey. Residents, volunteers, and the skilled nursing team that supported her throughout her rehabilitation gathered to pay their respects with speeches, shared memories, and the affection cultivated over more than a decade of living together.
Now, at 76 years old, Dominga is returning to Guatemala to reunite with her daughter. It is a story that began in NYC as a one-year visit—one that evolved into a lifetime—and that now concludes with the warmth of knowing she left something valuable behind: a more united community, inspired young people, and thousands of dollars directed toward those who need them most. And now, a beautiful new chapter in her life awaits her.