Maria A. Pena

Mrs. Maria Altagracia Baez Domenech de Peña (better known as Armida), was born in the city of Bani, located in the southern region of the Dominican Republic, on February 3, 1925, daughter of Ramon Arturo Baez and Maria Domenech de Baez, having Digna Rodriguez and Fernando as siblings.

She was married to Mr. Marino Peña, who died in the city of Orlando in January 1997, at the age of 78. Mrs. Armida was 99 years old at the time of her death, just a few days away from turning 100 years old.

She was a mother dedicated to her family and later in life dedicated to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

During her life she distinguished herself as a fine designer and dressmaker of fine dresses mainly for girls, which she exhibited and sold in her store located in front of the central park of her native town of Bani. Armida was a God-fearing woman whom she met and gave her life to, being saved by the grace of Christ in the 80s.

Armida was dedicated, resilient, intelligent and skilled in business and dealing with people. She entered the hardware business with her husband, of whom she was a suitable helper.

In 1972 she moved to live in the city of Santo Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic, and there she perfected herself in the creation of works of art in ceramics. Together with her husband she traveled to many countries of the world, including several European and South American countries.

Since 1992 she moved to live in the United States in the city of Orlando, Florida. In her marriage she had 6 children: Emerson, Alexander, Reynaldo, Marina, Solange and Amarilis, with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren who loved her and will remember her forever.