Fara H. Sarratea

Fara H. Sarratea, passed away on December 21, 2022. She was a mother of two and the best grandmother ever. She migrated to Miami, Florida from Cuba in 1966 with her husband, 18 yr. old daughter, 8-year-old son and 18-month-old granddaughter who she named Gloria Hilda (after her own mom and herself (did not take anyone else’s name into consideration). She was the youngest of 12 siblings and was very close to her family until she had to migrate and leave them behind.

She was a very independent women for her time. She was mainly a housewife, but she managed her household. We used to tease her that she had a sub-terranean economy because she always had money somewhere and never had debt. She bought everything in cash. She was strong, independent, willful and stubborn, and like the song says, she (always) did it her way.

She loved music, dancing, nature, she liked plants, flowers, she raised birds at one time, and even had for quite a while, a pretty obnoxious parrot.

She had two kids and we always teased her that her son was her favorite, but I know the truth, I was really her favorite.

She was married twice, and both her husbands could cook! Thank God, because she was a terrible cook! She was always trying to feed you concoctions that she would make, and everyone avoided her food like the plague. She had funny taste in food combinations (salty with sweet but with things that did not mix and match). Her favorite food was Cuban Tamales, or a Cuban dish called Tamal en cazuela. She liked anything with corn in it, chicharrons and coke cola and of course, anything sweet. She was also very vain. Wrinkles were not allowed; Oh, and she drove like a maniac. She had several car accidents and speeding tickets. We would tease her that we did not want to be on the road when she was driving. She always considered herself an excellent driver though. Of course, it was always the other drive's fault if she had an accident. She was also very giving. She would give money, food (not her cooking, (no one wanted that) to anyone that need it. We will miss her dearly.

Fara is survived by her daughter, Nelly Martinez and son, Ruben Santana; grandchildren, Gloria Rodriguez, Ruben Santana, Jr., Nicholas Santana, Jennifer Santana; and numerous great grandchildren.