Tata.  It’s hard to know where to start when describing Tata.  She was a force of nature.  A firecracker.  A whirlwind.  Always the life of the party.  Always a showstopper. 

When I think of her, I think of her stories, always coming to dinner with the latest drama that happened at Stop and Shop. 

I think of her outfits, her nails and accessories, always dressed to impress and ready to steal the spotlight. 

I think of her telling us to never refer to her as our grandma, but as our aunt instead - and how flattered she would be when people would ask if she and Mommy were sisters. 

I think of her as Santata for Christmas, with her Macy’s bag full of unwrapped gifts she found around her apartment, things no one ever needed but we all felt bad not accepting. 

I think of her advice, always warning us about the latest thing she heard on the news, and making sure we always look over both shoulders as we’re walking down the street. 

I think of those Saturday nights she would babysit me and my siblings when we were kids, and we would all laugh together while watching “All That” and “Kenan & Kel.” 

And I think of her always mentioning Von Bulow as a kid, and wondering who this mystery man was. 

Tata was far from perfect but I know she tried hard to make up for her past by being the best grandmother she could be.  She was patient and did what she had to do to survive, and thrive, and to help our family as much as she could.  She would give me and my siblings the world if she had it.  And I’m sure there’s much I don’t know about her story but I still think of her as a hero and I’m so grateful for everything she did so I can be living the life that I am now. 
                                                                                                                          continued...

Tata always had advice to give growing up and she would repeat it to me and my siblings until it became engrained in our memories:
	•	Always look over both shoulders when walking alone
	•	Never put your drink down at the bar
	•	Never put your bag down, and make sure you wear it on the front of your body
	•	Never fight back if someone is robbing you
	•	Look 3x before crossing the street

But then in her last months, even though she still gave her advice, her sentiment shifted:

	•	“If you are good, I am better,” she would text me
	•	Life is too short
	•	And the last thing she ever said to me: “¡Disfruta la vida, con cuidado!”

Despite her temperament and her stubbornness, she had a big heart and endless love for our family.  I will miss her stories, her laughter, her advice, her outfits, and the unwavering support she always gave me.  But even though she’s gone she will live in my heart forever. 

Te quiero mucho, Tata!  Best friends forever.

What do I miss about you?  What isn’t there to miss?  Every birthday I miss you saying, “Vamos, diga los tres deseos…salud, suerte, y dinero.”  Or the pastelitos  and carvel cakes when we were growing up on our birthdays.  Or when you would watch and read something about scams or dangerous events and you would call to alert the whole family to be careful, “¡Esté alerta y tenga cuidado!” Or in short, “¡Con cui!” Or showing up 30-45 minutes earlier than expected and you would just wait in your car so you would never be late to anything.  Or how you would bring your infamous shopping bags of goodies to show us and see if there was anything we liked.  The list goes on and on.    

I have much peace knowing that you’re not suffering anymore and resting in the arms of our Lord and Savior.  We will be together again one day so until that day comes I love you, ma, and I miss you very much!

I’ll always appreciated Lila’s smile. Her sense of humor could easily lift you from your daily concerns, if only for a moment. She knew when to sweetly hold our hands as our Mom was dying , softly offering us encouragement. When we visited Lila in her daughter’s home when she was receiving hospice care, we watched her hold her daughter’s hand, looking into her daughter’s eyes unable to speak  loudly or make us laugh but still happy to be in the presence of family and friends. Her warm spirit and enthusiastic greetings and conversation will be missed, though not forgotten. Rejoicing that she no longer suffers and has been received into our Father’s loving arms.

Espumosa y cremosa para siempre!  
"Inme!"
We love you Mami,
Bimbo, Mr. 9, Bombo, y Lilihua

I am so lucky to have known Tata my whole life and am even luckier to have been loved by her. She was truly one of a kind — as she liked to remind me frequently — but what was most impressive about her was her heart. She was always there, at every recital, graduation, and birthday, she drove me to every dance class and picked up the phone right away whenever I called. I’ll miss hearing her voice, seeing her laugh so hard she’d cry, holding her hand when I sat next to her, and telling her the word she was looking for in English when she couldn’t remember. 

In my mind, Tata was ageless and timeless, and I think she’ll stay that way forever. I’ll miss her everyday, especially when I look both ways to cross the street (and then one more time over each shoulder just to be safe), or when I see numbers that resemble our birthdays on license plates. I am blessed to have lived my life with her and will cherish her and all of our memories always.

We had the privilege of knowing our dear sister-in-law, Lilia, since the early 1960s when she married our younger brother, Joseph.  At that time, we were starting our lives together as young couples.  Our cherished sister, Lolo, who passed recently, took Lilia under her wing and spent much time together with her.  We rejoiced with her and my brother at the births of our wonderful nieces, Lilly and Adrianna. 

As the years unfolded, our lives separated, and we did not meet up with Lilia until the mid 1980s.  At that time, Sirene visited with Lilia at Paul and Lilly‘s apartment in Floral Park.  It was a blessed time together, for Lilia accepted Jesus Christ into her heart and was baptized immediately, issuing in her eternal salvation!

As the years unfolded further, we saw the Lord’s hand in preserving Lilia through the years.  She worked at the World Trade Center but survived the 9/11 tragedy because the Lord arranged for her to be out of the Country during the attack. She also survived two different bouts of cancer before the third finally overcame her. The time before her passing was spent with her precious daughter, Lilly, who cared not only for her physical being, but also for Lilia’s spiritual life.  Through much prayer and God‘s mercy, in her final days, Lilia was brought back to a prayerful place, revitalizing her spiritual life.  We rejoiced to hear that she and Lilly prayed everyday until the end.  It was then and only then that the Lord was able to take her home with Him because she was finally ready to meet Him.  It was a blessing that Irene and Alvis were able to see Lilia the day before she went to be with her Lord and Savior.  We have grateful hearts knowing that Lilia is at peace with Him now.  We are even more grateful in witnessing God’s sovereignty in arranging all aspects of Lilia’s life to prepare her for her final homecoming back to Him.

Lila was a warm , loving and caring person.  She was not only my sister in law but also a good friend.  Lila is strong.  No matter how tough life got, she would come out ahead.  She would be missed.

A Tribute to My Aunt Lila
There are people in life who make you feel like you're part of something much bigger than yourself. For me, that person was my Aunt Lila. She had a way of making everyone around her feel loved, seen, and cherished, but what made her truly special was how she embraced me like one of her daughters.
Her love for family was something she made sure to show with every gathering, every celebration, and every moment she spent with us. Those family get-togethers will always hold a special place in my heart, because they were filled with joy, laughter, and the feeling that no matter what was happening in life, we were all there for each other.
One of the things I'll never forget about Aunt Lila is how much she loved telling stories. She had a gift for storytelling, and when she spoke, everyone in the room was captivated. Her voice, her expressions, and her incredible energy made every tale feel like an adventure. She could take the simplest moment and turn it into something magical, leaving us all in stitches with her animated delivery and infectious laughter. Aunt Lila had this incredible ability to make everyone else laugh along with her, and her stories weren't just words; they were a whole experience, bringing joy and warmth to every gathering.
Her two daughters, Adriana and Lilly (my cousins), are the two sisters I never had but wish I did. Growing up, we did everything together, spent almost every weekend together. When I was older, I always knew I was loved and welcomed in their home as part of their family.
Her laughter, which filled every room, and the way she made everyone feel important are just some of the memories I'll carry with me forever. 
As I reflect on her life and the impact she made, I'm grateful for the countless moments she gave me that I'll never forget.

So sorry for your loss of Lila.  Although I never met Lila in person, I had spoken to her a few times.  In April 2023 she called my mother, Carmen Yi, here in Florida.  I answered the phone. Lila said she was a family friend and fellow Cuban Chinese, with 4 sisters and a brother who was on dialysis. She knew my grandfather, Luis Yi, and said he had sold her and sister “Ah Ha”, two rings.  She also remembered going to El Pub Restaurant in Miami with my mom and dad, Leon Yi, in 2012, and ate ajiaco. My dad passed in 2015. My parents had grocery and restaurant in Havana. We came to US in 1961, but they had to go to NYC to find work, while us kids stayed in Miami with grandparents. Mom worked for clothing factory in Chinatown. Later they had La Muralla China Restaurant in Manhattan, Amsterdam Ave. They stayed in touch with Lila and your family after they moved back to Miami in 1972.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.  My mom, Carmen Yi, passed away on July 15, 2025, three days after Lila, so we are also feeling the loss of a loved one.  Blessings to you all, Ramon Yi

A Tribute to Lila (as she was affectionately known)
When my own mother passed, I was heartbroken and inconsolable. Lilly and I went to visit Lila soon after.  She said to me, with great compassion and love, “I can be your mother too”.  She invited me into her family in a way I have never forgotten.  I will remember her uplifting smile, touching life stories,(told with ‘Lila’ animation) and her remarkable sense of style.  She  carried herself with elegance and grace.  Lila will remain in my thoughts and heart always  I am so sorry for all family and friends over her loss.

I will always remember Lilia as always being glamorous and beautiful.  No matter where we were going she always looked classy. She always had the best smile and her stories no matter how big or small always left everyone laughing. She had a great sense of humor.  Lilia and Aha were always together and always welcome in my home. When we saw her 2 weeks before her passing she was still so happy and full of life. We will miss you Lilia you were one of a kind.

Though Lila and I only met a few times, it felt as though we knew each other for years. We were so comfortable sharing memories of youth in Cuba. Our experiences in our new home America Layla was a breath of fresh air. She was full of energy and she was comfortable to talk to. The few times I spoke to her, I found her so inspiring and heartwarming.  I wish we would’ve had the time to become very dear friends. I will always remember her infectious laugh and her beautiful Cuban accent, which I did not have but enjoyed listening to her and remembering our Cuban heritage.

I’ll always remember Aunt Lilia for her beautiful smile, glamorous presence, infectious laugh, and funny conversations.  She would always make me laugh, no matter what we were conversing about.  She had such a humorous way about her and how she expressed herself.  Aunt Lilia was a beautiful person right up till the end. Even up until a week before she passed, I was taken aback at how beautiful she was with no makeup and perfectly smooth skin.  I’m so glad I was able to spend some time with her and hold the memory of her beautiful face and lovely demeanor from that day.  Knowing that she is now at peace with our Lord and Savior eases the sorrow of we who mourn her passing.  She will always be in my heart and will certainly be missed! ❤️

Lila, I will always remember the way you made me feel like family.  From those early days in Elmhurst up until the day you and Aha came to my mother’s wake two years ago. You have always loved me like a daughter and I have always loved you like a mother.  

Thank you for giving me Adriana, who is my other sister.  I cannot imagine life without her. 

Thank you for living the American dream and showing us all how hard work can pay off.   I remember being so wowed when you moved into the Pinnacle and bought that new car. It was really inspiring. Doing that, you showed us all how to reach higher and higher in life. To have bigger dreams. 

Even until your last day, you have been soooo beautiful - and a diva with your Hermes scarves and Chanel bags! Aways dressed up. Always posing for the camera. With a big smile for everyone. I hope you are enjoying all these finer things in heaven and are looking down on Lilly and Adriana  right now and are proud and happy.  

With all my love,
Potoula

OBITUARIO

Lilia Lee Liao

Falleció en 12 JULIO, 2025

R. Stutzmann & Son

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