Niurka Hemmelgarn, 51, of Newburgh, passed away Saturday, August 1, 2015, at her home.

She was born November 10, 1963, in Havana, Cuba, to Jaime Lajonchere and the late Juana Navarro.

She had the biggest heart, especially for her kids, and loved to cook. She taught Spanish to children at Castle Elementary School as an extracurricular activity for the school children. She had also worked for several financial companies, where she loved meeting and helping people.

Niurka was a giving person, a great mom and wife, and loved animals, especially her two dogs, Brody and Milli.

Niurka was preceded in death by her mother.

She is survived by her husband of 22 years, Ted Hemmelgarn; son, Blake Hemmelgarn; daughter, Mia Hemmelgarn; father, Jaime (Caridad) Lajonchere; step-father, Jorge Garcia; brothers, Julio (Yesica) Lajonchere, Adalberto Garcia Navarro, and Renee (Isabel) Llorens; sister, Delores Garcia Navarro; father and mother-in-law, Harold and Susie Hemmelgarn; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Tim (Kim), Ken (Amy), Dave (Angie), and Phil Hemmelgarn, and Christine Flynn; 20 nieces and nephews; aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Funeral Services will be 10:00 AM Friday, August 7, 2015, at Alexander Newburgh Chapel, officiated by Rev. Mike Claypool.

Friends may visit Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM and Friday from 9:00 AM until service time at the funeral home.

Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNewburghChapel.com.