Teresa Valdivia

With profound love and sorrow, the family of Teresa Valdivia announces her passing on April 18, 2026. Born September 24, 1951, in Jaruco, Cuba, Teresa was strong, beautiful, and endlessly supportive—a bold, loving presence whose quick humor and open heart made every room warmer.

At fifteen, Teresa left Cuba with her sister, beginning a journey that defined her courage. She built a full, joyful life in her new country, ultimately becoming a proud American citizen. Rooted in faith as an active member of the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, she drew strength from prayer and delighted in life’s simple rhythms: word searches by a sunny window; spirited evenings with game shows—often calling out Wheel of Fortune answers before contestants could; fresh hair and nails that made her feel radiant; the aroma of a meal prepared with love; and the pleasure of a well earned shopping trip. She filled her home with conversation and laughter, kept a unique saying for each person she loved, and returned again and again to the hope that framed her days—si Dios quiere.

Teresa’s greatest title was the one she lived daily: the glue of her family. For nearly sixty years, she walked hand in hand with her beloved husband, Mariano. She was the devoted mother of her son, Joe, and the adoring Abuela of Ana and Ema, with whom she shared late night talks at the edge of her bed and nights gathered in prayer. She treasured her brother, Paulino; her sister, Mercedes, and all of Mercedes’s family. At her side, too, were her cherished dogs, Emo and Lucy, whom she happily spoiled and walked around the neighborhood. Fiercely present and unfailingly caring, Teresa led with love—and when needed, with the voice that did all the talking—keeping everyone close, steady, and seen.

Teresa’s legacy is a family knit together by faith, humor, and unwavering devotion—the life she dreamed of when she first arrived on new shores. In honoring her memory, may we carry forward her generosity of spirit and the comfort of her favorite assurance: si Dios quiere. We thank you for coming together to celebrate her life. We celebrate where she is now at peace as well. She will always be remembered and loved. Te queremos mucho mucho mucho Abuela.