Marta Eugenia Palomo

Marta Eugenia Palomo died on January 12, 2022 in Miami, FL, where she raised her daughter and worked for nearly 50 years. She was 73.

Marta was born on September 6, 1948, in Elia, a municipality of Guaimaro, Camaguey, Cuba. She spent her early life in Elia with her parents, Eduviges Carracedo and Dr. Manuel Jose Palomo, and often traveled to Holguin and Baguanos, where her extended family resided. During these visits, Abuela Nena, Tia Zoila, Tia Delfina, and Tia Estrella were her constant companions. In Baguanos, Marta was famous for running around in her Tia Estrella’s shoes, as well as outrunning her aunt who would be in hot pursuit.

At the age of 12, Marta immigrated to the United States in November 1961, after the Cuban Revolution, as part of Operation Pedro Pan—a program that airlifted 14,000 children from Havana to the United States. Marta’s parents made the heart-wrenching decision to send Marta and her brother, Manuel Jose Palomo, to the United States as unaccompanied minors. Their hope was for their children to have a better future and to thrive in a free and democratic society, which they did.

Marta spent five years in St. Joseph’s Home in Alexandria, LA before being reunited with her mother in Louisiana. She spoke of her experience in Alexandria warmly and often reminisced about the kindness of an Italian-American family whose daughter she befriended and would take her for weekend outings. She also joked about how she loved the taste of milk in the United States compared to Cuba. During her time in Alexandria, Marta sent her parents many pictures of her new life as “recuerdos.” Her handwritten notes accompanying the photos always reminded her parents of how much she loved and missed them.

Marta attended St. Francis High School in Alexandria and graduated from Istrouma High School in Baton Rouge, LA. In 1966, she and her mother moved to Miami to rebuild their lives together while her brother remained in Baton Rouge to attend college at Louisiana State University. Marta quickly became a beloved member of the Cuban exile community in Miami where she started her own small business and managed it for most of her adult life. Through her work, she was able to care not only for her daughter but also for her mother and extended family. While Marta was a successful businesswoman, her purpose, pride, and focus was always her family.

Marta was devoted to her daughter Victoria Suarez-Palomo, whom she called the “apple of her eyes.” She never missed a moment to tell her daughter that she loved her. On Victoria’s wedding day in 2018, Marta walked her down the aisle. The two of them did the best they could to laugh instead of cry so they wouldn’t ruin their makeup. They cherished each other, always.

Marta was full of joy for life. She loved to dance and sing along to music at top volume—everything from Willie Nelson to Julio Iglesias and Nat King Cole. She even put an intercom system in her house on Michelangelo Street so that on birthdays she could blast Las Mananitas in every room. Even though Marta didn’t cook, her kitchen was always full of loved ones: Carrollton moms, office parties, the Palomo and Carracedo cousins. She enjoyed food, especially mariquita chips, extra-hot cortaditos, chocolate mousse, and hot dogs with nothing but mustard. When her daughter moved to San Diego, Marta basked in the California sunshine and befriended every coffee shop owner. She was also enamored by the beautiful colors in the American West; Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming were magical places to her. No matter where Marta went—whether it was the grocery store or another country—she always had her red lipstick, Chanel sunglasses, and water bottle. With that, she would be ready for any adventure.

Marta believed in putting love out into the world at every opportunity. She treated every person she met with respect and gave her love and time to others unconditionally.

Marta is survived by her daughter Victoria, her son-in-law, Zach Neumann, her brother, Manuel and his wife, Elena Tarajano Palomo. She is also survived by her 10-month-old grandson Patrick Manuel Neumann-Palomo, whom she affectionately called “niño hermoso.” Patrick Manuel stole her heart the moment he was born. As she did with her daughter, she loved to read him Love You Forever by Robert Munsch. On Saturdays, Victoria and Marta would FaceTime with Patrick Manuel and Marta couldn’t help but get emotional about his big cheeks. He was a blessing to her.

Marta is also survived by her nieces and nephews: Cristina Palomo, Manny Palomo, and Laura Palomo, as well as many Palomo and Carracedo cousins including Lillie, Lilliam, and Noly Palomo, and Danny Ferreiro—who were part of her daily life in Miami until her passing.

The Palomo family is grateful to the Lago and Camacho families for their constant kindness, love, and support for nearly four decades. Marta and Victoria shared many Sunday dinners, birthdays, graduations, summer camps, and holidays with them. One of Marta’s greatest joys was spending time with Cristina Lago and Danny Milian’s daughter, Julia Elena Milian, whom she showered with love and her world-famous cosquillas.

The Palomo family is also grateful to the many caregivers at the Miami Cancer Institute, Baptist Hospital, and Catholic Hospice, who stayed by Marta’s, Victoria’s, and Manolo’s side since Marta’s cancer diagnosis in October 2021. Through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, these medical professionals comforted Marta and cared deeply for her.

Those wishing to honor Marta can contribute to Catholic Health Services. We ask that donations be designated to Catholic Hospice Inc. in Marta’s name. Catholic Hospice Inc. is special to the Palomo family as this institution cared for both Marta and her mother, Eduviges, in their final days. The doctors and nurses at Catholic Hospice Inc. are a beautiful example of God’s love on earth.

A Funeral Mass for Marta will be celebrated on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 11:00 AM at St. Hugh Catholic Church, 3460 Royal Rd, Coconut Grove, Florida 33133. Entombment to follow at Miami Memorial Park, 6200 SW 77th Ave, Miami, Florida 33143.

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