Maria J. Garcia

Finita was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. As our matriarch she dedicated her life to family and helping others. She was beautiful inside and out, witty, hardworking, religious, and brave beyond our ability to comprehend. She loved unconditionally. She was a cat person, but we won't hold that against her. She had a great sense of humor.

Finita was born in Havana, Cuba. She was the only child of Spaniards Segundo Álvarez and María Dolores (“Nana”) Dorado. She met her future husband at an early age since his family lived across the street. They were neighbors! She grew up attending La Immaculada Concepción School, near Parque Maceo. At age 20, Finita and Joseíto got married in Nuestra Señora de Monserrate Church. The newlyweds lived with grandparents Segundo and Nana who also owned a bodega on the first floor of their building.

The environment in Cuba had been shifting from idyllic to turbulent during the 40s and 50s. Tough decisions were eminent. Do we stay and fight the rebels or do we leave until things settle? In 1961, Finita and Joseíto had the courage to send their three oldest children among over 14,000 unaccompanied to the US through Operation Pedro Pan. The family reunited shortly after to start a new life in Miami. Early on they did their best to make ends meet as her husband translated Cuban documents for the CIA and accounted inventory for Vanidades while she worked at Jimmy’s cleaners and later at American Bankers Insurance Company. Following the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban missile crisis, the family came to the realization they would not be returning to the island. In 1968, Joseíto published Liborio Speaks in English to document the root cause and effect of communism for future generations.

In making Miami their new home, Finita and José became founding members and long-time parishioners of Saint Dominics Catholic Church on NW 7th street. The entire family participated in fundraising events. She was also active with the Hijas de María group and in yearly reunions with other Immaculada alumni.

Finita lived with her dear son Roberto and beloved caregiver Teresa for the last twenty years. She would look after her granddaughter Gaby while in school. She enjoyed frequent visits from her grandchildren Josi, Gracie, Eddie, Gaby and Danny as well as great grandchildren and friends. Everyone would enjoy savoring her pulpeta, ají relleno, flan and marshmallow delight.

She leaves behind four sons José García (Civil Engineer) and wife Graciela, Luis Garcia (Electrical Engineer), Dr. Roberto Garcia and Carlos Garcia (Systems Analyst) and wife Marina along with five grandchildren, Josi, Gracie, Eddie, Gaby and Danny and eight great-grandchildren Jacob, Bryan, Krista, William, Christian, Hannah, Megan, Natalie with a nineth on the way.

Mom was such a caring and loving person and she instilled in our family an amazing set of values based on love and faith. Aim for a strong work-ethic and leave everything else in God’s hands was her example. So now we leave her in God’s hands and pray that someday we can all reunite again. We love you…. “Mima,” “Mamá, “Mom,” “Vieja”, “Baby,” “Tata”

May God welcome you with open arms alongside our Dad and all those that she loved that went before her…she will forever live in our hearts….

A funeral mass for Maria will be held Saturday, September 4, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM at Saint Augustine Church, 1400 Miller Road, Coral Gables, FL 33146. Following the funeral mass will be a committal service from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM at Flagler Memorial Park, 5301 West Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33134.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.riverofuneralhomemiami.com for the Garcia family.