Violeta, the second child and daughter of nine kids was born to Maria Barrera and Pastor Cruz. Born on Friday, October 27, 1922 in the city of San Luis, province of Pinar del Rio, Cuba. She helped her mom raise her siblings while she went to school. She finished 6th grade which is the equivalent of 12th grade today. Sewing would become her profession and she was exceptional at what she did. She taught the neighborhood girls how to sew while working in her dad’s store. Her siblings admired her discipline and frugalness which could be attributed to having to fend for herself as a young, divorced women with a little girl to raise. She returned to her parent’s home and later moved to Havana with her daughter Maria Elena to live with her Aunt Jova, her dad’s sister. On November 27, 1967, at the age of 45, she exiled to the United States due to the Cuban Revolution and met up with her sister Hilda and brother Arnaldo who had previously done the same with their families. There weren’t many opportunities for work in Miami, her chosen city to lay roots, but being a skillful seamstress came in vary handy and she was able to raise Maria Elena as she wished, with strong work ethics and Christian values. When it came to decision making she proceeded with caution and always moved forward. Her contagious laughter was often mimicked by her nephews and nieces. Mercy her youngest niece recalls her love for Butternut ice cream and Social Tea cookies. Her niece Blanqui remembers she always liked to gift Nylon Pantyhose on her birthday. Her nephew Orestico loved her strong voice and vibrant sound. Gustavo, her godson, remembers her kindness. Her brother Orestes recalls the love and respect they shared. She loved her family well. She is survived by her brother Orestes Cruz, granddaughter Esther Zamora, grandson Joel Devera, great grandchildren Briana, Sophia, Britney, Benjamin, sister in-laws, nephews and nieces.
