Ada Avila

January 14, 1910 — June 11, 2023

Ada Felicita Zambrano Loor de Avila of Deltona, Florida, passed away peacefully at home

surrounded by several of her children on June 11, 2023.

Ada was born in the city of Portoviejo, the capital of the province of Manabi, Ecuador, on

January 14, 1910, to Major Nicholas Loor, a career military officer, and Mariana de Jesus

Zambrano. In 1937, Ada married Manuel Francisco Avila Delgado and settled in Manta,

Ecuador.

Ada started her career in education as a teacher in the rural parts of the coastal province of

Manabi, Ecuador. Later she taught in the coastal city of Manta where she eventually became

the principal of an elementary school. In her spare time she taught pattern making and sewing

to spouses of the local fishermen. The fishermen’s spouses paid Ada by giving her the prime

catch of the fish caught by their husbands.

In 1954 Manuel left Ecuador for New York City to pave the way for the arrival of his family. The

following year Ada immigrated with their six young children to New York City. Ada and Manuel

courageously sacrificed their careers to move to the United States where their children could

have an opportunity to obtain the education and career of their choice.

Ada enjoyed hosting dinners and dance parties with family and friends where she and Manuel

would display their dancing skills. She had a quick wit and enthusiastic sense of humor,

enjoyed sewing, dining and an occasional shot of whiskey. Every year on her birthday the

tradition was for Ada to have a shot of whiskey with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren,

which may have contributed to her longevity. On January 14, 2023, Ada celebrated her 113th

birthday.

Ada was predeceased by her husband, Manuel Francisco Avila Delgado, who passed away

June 9, 1968; by her oldest daughter, Martiza Avila, who passed away at age one; followed by a

still-born, Baby Boy Avila. Ada is survived by her adult children: Manuel Avila (Ginnie), Jenny

Avila, Verdi Avila (Esthela), Grace Diaz (Mario), Myrna Avila-Musni (Anthony), and Edgar Avila

(Janine); and by her twelve grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.

A viewing for family and friends will be from 4:00 pm — 8:00 pm on Friday, June 23, 2023, at

Deltona Memorial Funeral Home & Gardens, 1295 Saxon Blvd., Orange City, Florida.

A service for family and friends to celebrate Ada’s life will be held at 10:00 am on June 24, 2023,

at St. Anne Catholic Church, 26 Dogwood Trail, DeBary, Florida.

A committal service will occur Saturday, June 24, 2023 from 11:45 AM to 12:30 PM at Deltona Memorial Gardens, 1295 Saxon Blvd, Orange City, FL 32763.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to The Alzheimer’s Association, or the

Arthritis Foundation, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.deltonamemorialfuneralhome.com for the Avila family.