Graciela was born in Cardenas, Cuba on June 25, 1926 to Guillermina Smith and Alberto Carol. She was one of five sisters and one brother. In Cuba, her beauty and charm captured the eye of Juan Diez-Arguelles, and they married in 1948. Juan and Graciela had four children and lived in Cardenas, Cuba, with frequent stays at Juan’s family home on the beach in Varadero, Cuba.
Like many Cuban families, they were forced to flee during the rise of Fidel Castro and communism. Her firstborn son, Juan Miguel, came to the U.S. first, living with Graciela’s sister Guilly and her family. After her husband Juan was captured and imprisoned, Graciela sent her son Carlos and daughter Grace to the U.S. as well. Juan was sentenced to 30 years in prison and directed Graciela to join her children and leave Cuba with her youngest daughter Mercedes in 1962. She would always miss her home country.
With the help of her family, and a strong Catholic faith, Graciela began a new life for her and her children in West Palm Beach. She had to learn English and learn to drive in order to work and support her family. She spent many years working for Atlantic National Bank and First Federal. Her children attended St. Juliana and Cardinal Newman and she was able to buy her own home in 1968 in Belvedere Homes, where she lived until 2014.
Throughout Juan’s absence, she remained committed to his return and relied on her faith to help her through. After 12 years imprisoned, Juan was paroled and allowed to apply to leave the country. Juan and Graciela were finally reunited in 1973. She saw this as a sign of God’s intervention, and dedicated herself to thanking God every day, which, for her, meant attending daily mass, regular praying of the rosary and novenas, and becoming a member of the Legion of Mary. She regularly attended masses at St. Ann Catholic Church, St. Juliana Catholic Church, Mary Immaculate Catholic Church, or Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church.
Graciela continued to charm Juan, especially with her beautiful singing voice and guitar playing. She sang at family gatherings, weddings, and funerals of family members. Her desserts were also legendary, with at least one recipe being published in a Cuban cookbook. Graciela enjoyed spending time with her family at the beach every summer, especially Sanibel Island, since it reminded her and Juan of Cuba.
Though she always missed Cuba, she became a very proud and patriotic American.
While very charming and pious, Graciela never held back her thoughts and would let any family member know when they weren’t dressed properly, acting impolitely, or not following the Catholic faith appropriately.
She was preceded in death by her husband Juan, son Juan Miguel, sisters Mercy, Sylvia, Guilly, and Mallia, and grandson Billy Hendricks.
She leaves behind her brother Alberto, daughters Grace and Mercedes, son Carlos and his wife Jenny, five grandchildren Mark, Carlos, Juan, Christina, and Carolina, and 10 great-grandchildren Leia, Elijah, Xavier, Alexa, CJ, Ellie, Tomas, Chloe, Dominic, and Leo. She also leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews.
A mass will be held for her at St. Juliana’s Catholic Church on April 1, 2023, 12 noon, with a graveside service to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park at 1:30 pm. In lieu of sending flowers, please send a donation in her honor to St. Juliana Catholic Church.
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