Flor T. Gaytan

Flor was born October 15, 1933 in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba, a small city outside Havana. She grew up in a big family of 9 children. She met her husband, Rafeal Emilio Gaytan in Havana. They were married in 1956. Theirs is one of the great love stories of the 20th century. They had two children, Rafeal Jr. born in 1957 and Gloria, born in 1958. Flor and Rafeal were members of the exclusive Havana Yacht Club, went to Europe on the Queen Mary, and made annual trips to New York, where they always stayed at the Plaza Hotel and saw the Broadway shows My Fair Lady, Oklahoma, and South Pacific. They also enjoyed going to the Rockerfeller Center and watch the skaters from the famous Rupplemyer Restaurant.

The Gaytan family was forced to flee from communism and came to America in 1960. Around this time Flor called the White House. She said she was a Cuban refugee who designed and made clothes for children. She made a dress for Caroline Kennedy and there is a photo of Caroline wearing the dress. She also designed and made clothes for the children of Ethel Kennedy. The Gaytans lived in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida until 1962, when the family moved to Atlanta. In Atlanta they made many lifelong friends and learned about new American customs, like Thanksgiving.

Flor taught sewing at D'Urville Academy. She kept in touch with her students who always told her how much they loved being taught by her. She next taught fashion at Massy Jr. College. The girls loved her there too, and made her their sorority mother.

Flor and her students made a dress for Pat Nixson in 1969. They presented the red, white and blue dress to Mrs. Nixon in the Rose Garden.

But the crowning jewel in Flor's achievements was her work in PR and tours of the exquisite artwork of the Coca-Cola company. Flor gave tours to Prince Albert of Monoco, Queen Sonja of Norway, Barry Diller, Warren Buffet, Anne Cox Chambers, Edward James Olmos, Delta Burke and Selena among many other dignitaries and celebrities. Flor presented the image, history and culture of the Coca-Cola Company in an exemplary manner, earning her the recognition from Mr. Roberto Goizueta, CEO, as "the best ambassador Coca-Cola ever had."

Flor and her family were also devout Catholics; Flor and Rafeal brought the first Hispanic priest to celebrate Spanish Mass to the Cathedral of Christ the King. They were also founding members of the Atlanta Cuban Club.

Flor is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Rafeal in 1998. She is survived by her son Rafeal, daughter Gloria, daughter in law Desiree, granddaughter Victoria, and her niece Marite Truba.