Leocadia Benitez Cissel

Born in Villaluenga del Rosario in 1936 a picturesque village located in the province of cadiz and located down Navazo Alto mountain, inside Sierra de Grazalema Park, she began her life in this tiny village of less than 200 people. This Village rests on the boundary between the Arab kingdom of Granada and the Christian kingdom of Castilla in the 13th and 14th centuries. Villaluenga is home of the largest cave system in Spain with includes Hundidero-Gato system which is the largest cavern at 4 Kilometers long. Home to extensive wildlife including black and Egyptian vultures, five types of eagle, ospreys and peregrine and smaller birds like the hoopoe and spotted woodpecker, foxes badgers, wild boar, wildcats beech martins, rabbit, sheep, goats, red and roe deer. These humble beginnings cemented her love of animals, plants and natural landscape that she shared with everyone throughout her life. Leocadia moved to Jerez in 1959 and in with her sister Maria, to seek new opportunities in life. From her new home, she found employment working as a nanny for Lieutenant Vederal and his family at The Naval Station Rota, Spain. She met David Thomas Cissel in 1960 when he was invited to the armory group get-together at the Lieutenant’s home. There David chased her around, during his visits with a Spanish-English dictionary trying to get a date until she finally conceded. David’s first date with Leo, was a fish dinner in Puerto de Santa Maria, chaperoned by Mrs. Vederal. Subsequent dates would include most of her available family, as David continued to learn more about Leocadia and the Spanish customs of the time. Unknown to Leocadia, David went to the Villaluenga in 1962 with her brother Candido and his best friend Cuqui as translator, to assist in asking Leocadia’s father for his daughters hand in marriage. Blessings were received and David and Leo were happily married on April 10th 1963 in Jerez. David and Leo moved into a small apartment in Rota Spain, before shortly transferring to Kingsville Texas months later, as her new life as an American and military wife began take shape. Far away from her small village and the country she called home, Texas awoke big opportunities and notions that would forever change her life and all those around her. The Cissel family transferred to Sanford Naval Station in 1965 and bought their first home in North Orlando Town site. Leocadia began meeting new friends that would begin influencing her family and last her lifetime. North Orlando Town site brought many new opportunities. She learned to drive, acquired her first credit card and added several new words to her repertoire like “leeto to leeto”, “t-chirt” “eye crreen” and shared others like, “coño” and something untranslatable about “leche”. Shortly after her English education began to take root, the family once again departed, this time toward the US Naval Air Station, Albany, Georgia in 1968. Life on the Albany base was short lived. One month to unpack a few family outings on the Georgia waterways and back roads and then repacking for David’s final deployment back in Rota Spain. The family moved into their second purchased home in Fuetebravia, a short distance from the naval base in Rota. The amazing network of friends continued to grow, as their children were steeped in the traditions of Spanish culture and military life. They Cissel’s were likely the only family to host large outdoor parties in their Mediterranean beach house, atop mom’s chicken coup. Kids, flowers, animals underfoot and a dog named pregúntele or “ask him” was content with the warmth of Leocadia's glow. They continued entertaining family and friends as often as able and many great memories were born from that home. The Vietnam War began to spin down after the Paris Peace Accord and David chose retirement instead of another deployment with a fighter squadron. David retired and the family packed up their bags once again in 1973 and moved back to their home in sunny Florida. After settling back into North Orlando Town site, Leo began her conquest of American life. Her first job at Sandra Fashions introduced her to the hidden Latin-American contingent of Central Florida. Coworkers became dear friends and extended family as the years progressed. Leocadia projected the simple upbringings of a village girl, while playing down the keen and perceptive entrepreneur she camouflaged as a homemaker. She made time between working and managing a household to attend Seminole County Community College, learning English and certifying herself in floral arranging. Friday nights were for bowling leagues, having fun and winning trophies. Leocadia spent her wonderful life as a nanny, professional homemaker, seamstress, entrepreneur, real estate investor, furniture dealer and garage sale master. In between raising her four children, she kept David busy by crafting furniture, looms, and knick knacks that she would sell. She also found time to buy and sell houses, trailers and land. She was involved with Tupperware, Princess House and Amway. She also started a boutique furniture store in Casselberry Florida as well as a small jewelry business and finally back to raising children. Over the years she had a hand in raising approximately 38 children. She did all this while continuing to making sure that all of her plants and flowers were flourishing in and outside the house and around the yard. She had a love for animals of all kind, raising chickens, Canaries, Ducks, Geese, dogs, a goat and a stray cat named “Charlie”. David and Leo traveled to Gibraltar, United States, Portugal, Mexico, Canada, Hawaii, and sailed the Caribbean. Leocadia was a Devout Roman Catholic at the Church of the Nativity in Lake Mary Florida. Leocadia’s hobbies included; Gardening, flower arrangements, knitting, crochet, sewing, various arts & crafts, figurine collecting, furniture restoration, raising animals, bowling, entertaining family and friends. Her passion for life was unmatched. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for someone less fortunate than herself. She will remembered for her compassion, humbleness, charity and strength. Leocadia is preceded in passing by her parents Mateo Benitez and Maria Perez Moreno; her five siblings Mateo Benitez Perez, Catalina Benitez Perez, Paco Benitez Perez, Maria Benitez Perez Herrera, and Candido Benitez Perez. Leocadia is survived by her husband David Thomas Cissel; her sons Mateo Benitez-Benitez Perez Cissel and Edward David Cissel; her daughters Alberta Maria Gilbert and Maria Del Rosario Brilhante. A visitation will be held at the Baldwin-Fairchild West Altamonte Chapel on Monday Feb. 23 at 10am with a memorial service to follow at 11. Family and friends are invited to join us, to celebrate her colorful life at the Cissel home after the services. Leocadia will be laid to rest with her family, in Villaluenga Del Rosario, Espãna in August, 2015. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Hospice on her behalf. Special thanks and prayers go out to her family in Spain, her wonderful friends and the many children she helped raise throughout her life. Please contact David Cissel with any questions or to share your remembrance of a truly special woman.