Maria J. Freixas

She was born on April 27, 1925 in Havana, Cuba. She was preceded in death by her parents Ramon Mato, and Concepcion Mato-Gonzalez; and her husband, Esteban Freixas.

Maria is survived by her son Esteban Freixas and wife Teresita Freixas of Miami, Florida and daughter Ana Hobbs and husband Michael Hobbs, of Clovis, CA. Granddaughter Natalie Robau of Miami, Florida, Grandson Stevie Freixas of Miami, Florida, Granddaughters Alexandria Hobbs of Fresno, California and Alicia Hobbs of San Francisco, California. As well as Great-Grandchildren Romy Robau and Gabriel Robau of Miami, Florida.

She was a retail clerk during her life both in Miami, Florida and Manhattan, New York.

After retiring she became a homemaker and a loving Grandmother. She was a devoted and loving wife. She was not only a mother but a best friend and advisor. She was wise, creative and could fix almost anything, loved the Movies and reading the newspaper. She had to be up on all the latest news and politics. She loved animals, A St. Francis statue was always present in her garden. Music was always playing in her kitchen. Swimming in the ocean always brought her closer to her beloved Cuba.

She became ill with Alzheimer's disease in 2004. Through the years she taught us how tough and strong she was.

She will be missed daily. Eternal rest grant unto Maria Freixas, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.

MY FAMILY

I personally did not get to witness much of this wonderful woman's time as a wife, and only for brief periods at any given time but at any time , the love she had for your grampa was always in full display, respecting him, caring for him, and protecting him to the end yesterday , looking thru the pictures of their early life together, with their families and friends and then with momma and Estevan, could only confirm that happiness, meaning and love.

As a mother in law, what else could a man want. I was welcomed into her domain with open arms , always feeling at home and a part of the family right from the first moment. I respected your gramma and grew to love her as part of MY family - you guys! Her being just generated and was love. A strong woman by any standard and a gentile , kind and caring person with a joy for life and a way to accept all things , challenging and or rewarding with the same outlook - we must get thru these things and remain true to our selves and our core! She influenced and guided your mother and my relationship without ever , ever " interfering or openly taking on any " side" and I'm sure she had to bite her tongue many times on account of me! It was the same thing with our parenting of you guys- gentle , always there guiding and leading by example but never criticizing, openly or through childish games of the mind, any mistakes or trips down the wrong path we may have taken as parents in her view. Now she may have given your mother hell when I wasn't around but this part of the story is about her as my mother in law! Momma can tell you guys the " behind the front" stories I'm sure. Those standards of living have many times inspired me and will always be remembered and held up as a high bar for me personally.

As a mother- wow, again I can only imagine the love and caring she gave to your mother and uncle based on what I saw her give to them as adults and to you guys! She was extremely proud of every accomplishment , every overcoming and even the little failures along the way from which she was able to guide from and encourage the same underlying principles of being true to just being a " good " person first and foremost. She was always the loving mother to your uncle, regardless of the somewhat stressful relationships that may have been present and was again, respectful of him and his family through everything. I'm sure she knew he made it through this last challenge somehow and was at peace with him.

To your mother, she was everything- changing as life went on from the guiding parent protecting and raising a child, to the encouraging and understanding parent as momma went though school and started her career , through the - oh my gosh, you are telling me you are going to British Columbia to see a man who is how old and doesn't even speak Spanish! And then horror of horrors, he has asked you to marry him , to the mom - we are moving across the country conversations! Then came you guys and she became Mom, the how do I raise these babies gramma to you but still Mom to your mother- but as a woman to woman , here's what I think but I'm sure you will do the right things yourself..... Always loving, always respectful and genuinely caring . A mother, a friend,a teacher and guide, a confidant and a shoulder to cry on when needed without judgement! Then as life continued, she became the person for which we all were allowed to care for, to return with all our hearts the genuine love and affection and respect she had shown everyone in her life. To your mother, great joy and sorrow and heartfelt suffering came during this period, questions for God, questions for everyone but again, with the purpose and values instilled by Gramma and her dad, the love poured out and gramma was always a big part of our circle of love and family structure. Momma and gramma were allowed to close the circle fully, with all its struggles but more importantly with all its love!

As a gramma, I can only say from the outside , she was defined what a gramma is! And more. You guys were given an angel and can fill in the story first hand and I'm sure as you get older, the influences your gramma has and will continue to make on your life's will become more and more evident and you will cherish ALL the memories and experiences that were shared with gramma.

In closing, Maria the woman,Gramma, Mother, Mother in law , and wife lived a full life with all the emotions possible , the highs and lows, the struggles and rewards, and in the end, I'm sure her mom and dad are very proud of how she lived her complete life!

The best adoration of this woman will be our lives and how we pass on the simple and complete love she showed for each and every one of us to each other and everyone we meet!

Love Dad, husband and son in law, Michael Hobbs