Teresita Gonzalez-Abreu

Teresita was born in Santiago de Cuba, the only daughter to Rodolfo Grau and Maria Teresa Ferreiro. As a young child she moved to her parents’ hometown, Cienfuegos; a city she would adopt wholeheartedly and where she would cement indelible friendships and memories.

Teresita was educated in the Dominican Sister’s traditions and values graduating with honors from the “Dominicas Americanas” in 1952. There she learned to be a woman of courage; confidence; conviction and continued to foster the legacy of that great institution with her close friends and alumnae. In 1954 Teresita was crowned Miss Cienfuegos, a title she honored and championed with pride for the rest of her life. During the last years of her life she was the President of the” Municipio de Cienfuegos en el Exilio” an office she held with pride and where she also served as the Editor for their yearly magazine.

In 1958 she married the love of her life, Dr. Francisco Gonzalez-Abreu and they had three boys Francisco Jose, Rodolfito and Carlos Felipe. She was a woman of great character, her opinions where heart felt, her love unyielding and her imprint vast.

In 1974, she immigrated to Madrid, Spain and shortly after settled in Miami with her family, parents and mother-in law. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and the ultimate matriarch; Teresita’s mission above all was as a tireless advocate for her beloved ones. ‘La Grau’, as all of those too familiar with her grit knew her, always took the helm and faced adversity with unyielding strength and resolve.

Teresita loved socializing with family and friends, specially hosting them at her Miami home of over 40 years. She was the quintessential grandmother; her grandchildren where the sparkle of her later years. Teresita never missed an important event in their lives and imprinted in them a love for family and for America.

Teresita is survived by her son, Carlos Felipe; daughter-in-law Ana Alas Gonzalez-Abreu, grandchildren, Dante Andres, Allegra Sofia and Luca Antonio; her daughter-in-law Maria Eugenia (Maru) Minoprio Gonzalez-Abreu; niece Teresita Mestre and nephews Julio Jose and Eduardo.

A funeral Mass in memory of (our family’s Iron Lady) Teresita will be celebrated November 15th at Saint Augustine Catholic Church, 1400 Miller Road, Coral Gables at 10:00 am. Her lifelong friend, Monsignor Arnaldo Fernandez Berroa and current Vicar General of the Diocese of Santa Clara Province in Cuba will join the family to officiate the service. Burial will follow at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial gifts may be made in Teresita’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, https://www.stjude.org/ .