Maria Teresa Pablos

Maria was the oldest of five children and was born in Puentes Grandes, Havana, Cuba to the joy of her mother Gertrudis Nieves Rodriguez Castro and her father Juan Ramon Pablos Bravo. In Cuba, Maria was a nurse assigned to make house visits alongside a doctor to conduct wellness checks in neighborhoods.

Maria immigrated to the United States in 1982 and settled in Miami, Florida with her husband Orestes Torres and her son Carlos Miguel Torres-Pablos. As in Cuba, Maria exercised her passion as a health care professional until 2024 and discontinued her nearly 60-year career due to of her declining health condition. But spending time with her family was the joy of her life, especially with grandsons Carlos Jr, Christian, Marcos, and her granddaughter Vicki. Holidays were always special to Maria; on Christmas mornings, Maria would spread joy and happiness by dressing as Santa Claus for the enjoyment of her grandchildren.

Additionally, Maria was a devoted mother, but she was a magnificent, dedicated grandmother always at her happiest when dressing her grandsons in the same outfits as if all three were triplets, buying gifts and taking them to McDonalds for an extended period of playtime. Maria was a Catholic who worshiped our Lord Jesus Christ and paid homage to Saint Lazarus “San Lázaro” a popular saint in Cuba who is associated with healing and health.

Maria’s husband died 14 years before her. Surviving her are son Carlos Torres-Pablos, daughter-in-law Kit Torres, and grandchildren Carlos Jr., Christian, Marcos, and Vicki. Special thanks to Lerm and Sam Sisaket for their everlasting love for Maria as well as Yaki, Suyen, Yamile and Paola who were Maria’s closest friends from Miami.

A visitation for Maria will be held Thursday, March 13, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Hardage-Giddens, Riverside Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32205. A funeral service will occur Thursday, March 13, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 2:45 PM, 7242 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32205. A committal will occur Thursday, March 13, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM at Hardage- Giddens, Riverside Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32205.