Mirta Alonso Ransom

Naturally creative with an expressive personality and a flair for the dramatic, Mirta was attracted to a career in radio and the performing arts, studying at the Academia de Artes Dramaticas in Havana. In 1957, she married Elpidio E. Garcia, an electrical engineer. Shortly afterwards, her life took a dramatic turn when she, Elpidio and her young first-born son fled the island in 1959 to escape the communist takeover of Cuba. Arriving in the U.S., the family first lived in Miami, ultimately settling in Tampa.

In addition to raising three boys, Mirta worked as a Red Cross volunteer and held a variety of jobs throughout her life that showcased her versatility. Among other jobs, she worked as a cashier at Woolworth’s, a dental assistant, and an eyeglass lenses quality control technician. She retired from the Hillsborough County Health Department following a career of more than 20 years.

At different times in her life, Mirta found joy in gardening, singing, playing the organ, listening to music, bowling and painting. Fishing was another of her favorite pastimes, and she cherished many moments spent at the beach by the water. She also enjoyed watching her favorite baseball team on television, the Tampa Bay Rays.

She is survived by her three sons Elpidio (Leslie), Edward (Mollie), Paul (Genevieve), eight grandchildren Christen, Meghan, Blake, Andrew, Ellen, Adrianna, Michael, and Abigail, seven great-grandchildren Aubriyanna, Channing, Summer, Camden, Elaine, Reid and Lane, her sister Cristina Lara and her nieces and nephews Anthony (Yesenia), Tina (Waldo) and Michelle, as well as her grand-nieces and nephew. She is predeceased by her parents, her sister Clara “Yoyi” Aleman, and her grandson, Christopher Garcia.

Viewing and a rosary will be held at the St. Joseph Historic Church located at 4214 Loretto Road Jacksonville, FL 32223 beginning at 10:00 AM, followed by a funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. Graveside services and burial will be in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery directly behind the church immediately after the Mass.

Requiescat in pace.