Hermitania Cabrera

Hermitania Cabrera was born in San Germen, Puerto Rico to Juan Pio & Maria Gregoria Cruz on August 18, 1936. She went to school in San German P.R. completing only the third grade. (Tana) as we all came to have known her, was raised during the era of World War ll and during the Great Depression. There were difficult times. Growing up there were chores to do at home, and for Tana this started at age 6. She was assigned to do the family laundry. This task was not as easy as dropping the laundry into a washing machine but by trekking a great distance to a nearby river and washing it by hand. She also cooked dinner over a (Fogon) which is an open fire pit. (Do you think in comparison our kids today have it so difficult?). Time passed and she came to leave the island paradise.

In the winter of 1955 at the age of 19. She left for New York. Too live with a cousin in the Bronx. At her arrival she was met by cold and a blizzard and with no coat she was given a sweater to wear. Needless to say she became very ill. (Welcome to the states!)

In a need to find work, a very close friend brought her to a factory at which she was interviewed with three other girls. In the adversity of the time period she experienced prejudice at first hand: The interviewer looked her up & down and obviously because of her tan Indian color, pulled out the cigar he had in his mouth. Spat on the floor before her and said “We don't hire your kind here”. Mom always reminded me of that encounter. Teaching me of what adversities one may have to go through in life. Showing us that she persevered and you can too.

Moving on and making friends. In the summer of 1957 she went on an outing to a beach. There she met a young, attractive, devanare, baseball player, by the name of Juan Cabrera Jr. She was smitten by this

guy who was an athlete, outgoing and loves the beach. (Finding out later in time that Dad hated going to the beach). “Personally, I think there was matchmaking involved”. But after a short courtship they married on April 26,1958.

During the mid sixties they bought their first home in Brooklyn. There they sheltered many families down through time and fostered two children Georgie and Yoli. In dealing with all these things she really found solace & loved her gardening.

In 1972 she was to receive the greatest gift of all, mom was presented with the gospel accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal savior. In her christian walk she became a Sunday School class secretary.

Which she was very proud of, to help the church in this small way. This third grader was able to study at The Damascus Christian Church Bible Institute. She became an Elder of In One Accord Ministries here in Florida and most of all was a Prayer Intercessor. Although she went through attacks from the enemy her faith never wavered and after 23 years she witnessed one of prayers answered, of which was her husband accepting the Lord Jesus as his personal savior.

One of mom's favorite verses was Revelation 21:4 and it reads, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be anymore

pain: for the former things are passed away”. On March 19, in the year of our Lord, 2022 she, Hermitania, Tana, Mom or grandma, was called home. Surrounded by her loving family at her

bedside.

Tana is survived by six children: Juan III and his wife Debbie, Daniel, Denora and husband Alberto Jr. or (Tito), Linda and husband Peter, Stella and husband George, Thomas Esteban and his wife Veronica, nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

At this time reading an excerpt from a posting written by her eldest grandchild says: “Sometimes words aren't enough, sometimes there just aren't the right ones. This woman from a young age taught me to see the world differently. She would never just see a flower for just its beauty. She always treasured its roots and origin where it came from.

And how it was nurtured MATTERED. So I vow to live this example everyday. Thank you for making sure I knew I mattered, where I came from matters, thank you for being you, your life and legacy mattered.

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