Ofelia Santander

Ofelia Santander of Sunny Isles Beach, Florida passed away on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at the age of 87. She was born on March 8, 1936 in Cuba where she grew up on a farm with her mother, father as one of 11 children.

At 23 years of age, she worked as a domestic opare in Havana, Cuba. She was 25 when she met her husband, Arturo in line at a movie theater. It was love at first sight. They were married June 25, 1961, and had two sons, Jose and Jorge. She immigrated to the United States in 1967. She became an American citizen, and was actively involved in a network to help and support Cuban immigrants with essential needs. She spent her life advocating and supporting family and friends in and out of Cuba.

Ofelia is preceded in death by her parents, Lucy & Inocencia Arias, and siblings Juana, Elda, Leonor, Irene, Raul and Renaldo.

Ofelia is survived by her husband Arturo Santander, her sons Jose (Stephanie) Santander, and Jorge (Elisa) Santander, grandchildren Justin, Ryan, Joaquin and Gabrielle, siblings Leonides, Lazaro, Rigoberto and Julio Cesar.

She was beloved by all her family, friends and many cousins, and extended family. Notably, her niece Miosotis Arias Pelaez who recently immigrated from Cuba, and her niece, Maite Arias, her husband Raul, and grand nieces Liannys Alvarez and Lianne Sunet.

The family would like to thank the staff at AccentCare Inpatient Hospice Center at North Shore Medical Center-Miami for the care and compassion they showed our loved one in their final days. She was surrounded by her sons and husband at the time of death. They would also like to recognize neighbors Alex and Yolvic Jimenez and nurse Arianne Reyes Lopez for all their support and care.

Family and friends are invited to attend a velorio at Caballero Rivero Southern on Saturday at 3:00 – 9:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in their honor to Free Cuba Foundation https://cubansinamerica.us/prominent-cuban-americans/organizations/free-cuba-foundation/