For Immediate Release: November 25, 2025

Jorge Pineda in his wheelchair smiling at the 2023 Access Living gala

Jorge Humberto Pineda (1955-2025)

Jorge Pineda passed away yesterday, November 24, 2025, in his hometown of Mexico City at the age of 70. He was surrounded by friends and family.

Jorge was devoted to his family, friends, and community. He had a deep love and appreciation for animals and the environment. He carried that same passion into his work in disability rights. He was an accountant for the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) for 15 years. In 2012, he received NCIL’s President’s Award in recognition of his service.

Prior, Jorge was head of accounting at GERAT Mexico, ICIC and ADEPAM. He also served on several non-profit boards and was an avid supporter of many environmental and arts organizations.

In 1991, Jorge met Judy Heumann at a MIUSA conference in Eugene, Oregon. They were married a year later. They lived in Berkeley, California until making Washinton, DC their home for 30 years. Jorge recently returned to Mexico to be near his family.

Jorge was preceded in death by his parents Raquel Gonzalez and Octavio Pineda, his sister Lupita and his wife Judy. He is survived by his siblings Octavio, Blanca, Irma, Guillermo and Gerardo, and many nieces and nephews.

Services were held in Mexico City today. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jorge’s honor to National Council on Independent Living.

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Jorge Pineda falleció ayer, 24 de noviembre de 2025, en su ciudad natal, Ciudad de México a los 70 años de edad. Estaba rodeado de amigos y familiares.

Jorge se dedicó profundamente a su familia, amigos y comunidad. Tenía un gran amor y aprecio por los animales y el medio ambiente. Llevó esa misma pasión a su trabajo en los derechos de las personas con discapacidad. Fue contador del National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) durante 15 años. En 2012, recibió la Distinción del Presidente de NCIL como reconocimiento a su servicio.

Antes de eso, Jorge fue jefe de contabilidad en GERAT México, ICIC y ADEPAM. También formó parte de varias juntas directivas sin fines de lucro y fue un ávido defensor de numerosas organizaciones ambientales y artísticas.

En 1991, Jorge conoció a Judy Heumann en una conferencia de MIUSA en Eugene, Oregón. Se casaron un año después. Vivieron en Berkeley, California, hasta que se establecieron en Washington, DC, donde residieron durante 30 años. Jorge regresó recientemente a México para estar cerca de su familia.

A Jorge le precedieron en la muerte sus padres Raquel González y Octavio Pineda, su hermana Lupita y su esposa Judy. Le sobreviven sus hermanos Blanca, Octavio, Blanca, Irma, Guillermo y Gerardo, así como numerosos sobrinos y sobrinas.

Los servicios se llevaron a cabo hoy en Ciudad de México. En lugar de flores, se pueden hacer donaciones en honor a Jorge al National Council on Independent Living.

Judy Heumann and Jorge Pineda smiling and holding hands in their apartment

Judy Heumann and Jorge Pineda (Photo Credit: Rick Guidotti, Positive Exposure)

Jorge and Judy in Mexico surrounded by family

Judy and Jorge in Mexico with members of the Pineda family

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