Near midnight Ms. Prida complained of a slight stomachache and left quietly, as if not to disturb the flow.

CNN: Latina 'Dear Abby' brought wit, wisdom, light

Hours before dying of a heart attack, Ms. Prida celebrated the 20th anniversary of LIPS, "Latinas In Power, Sort Of, " a women's group that we are both part of.

CNN: Latina 'Dear Abby' brought wit, wisdom, light

But it was in her role as the voice behind Latina magazine's advice column, Dolores Dice, (Dolores Says) where Ms. Prida's generous spirit, lyrical eloquence and playful wit would find its glory.

CNN: Latina 'Dear Abby' brought wit, wisdom, light

Though the column name was a sweet coincidence -- a play on the Spanish verb for pain, dolor -- once Ms. Prida took it over in the spring of 1998, it took fabulous form.

CNN: Latina 'Dear Abby' brought wit, wisdom, light

Ms. Prida gave the column guts and grit.

CNN: Latina 'Dear Abby' brought wit, wisdom, light

During the ride to the hospital, the paramedics asked her name, and Ms. Prida instead of repeating her information, responded by telling them that she was just at a party and she was dancing -- that she was dancing for joy.

CNN: Latina 'Dear Abby' brought wit, wisdom, light

Ms. Prida's work as an advice columnist was remarkable because of the many lenses through which she viewed life, among them: immigrant, Cuban exile, poet, community activist, sister, friend, mentor, immigrant rights advocate, lesbian, cook, smartass -- a candid soul filled with wisdom and fully-lived experiences.

CNN: Latina 'Dear Abby' brought wit, wisdom, light