Angela Romagosa

Angela Romagosa Fernandez, age 83, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2022 in Austin, Texas. She was born on March 18, 1938 in Havana, Cuba to Angel Fernandez and Moraima (Victoria) Fernandez Suarez de la Grana.

Growing up in Cuba, Angelita, as she was known, enjoyed ballet and socializing at the country club, where she would meet her future husband. She married Ernesto Romagosa in 1958 and the couple had three children. After leaving Cuba in 1960 to escape the Communist Revolution, the family settled in Dallas, restarting their lives after losing everything. In Dallas, Angela began working as a Spanish teacher at St. Thomas Aquinas, then worked for Braniff Airlines. She later started her career in real estate, became a broker, and ran her own company for over 20 years. Prior to Ernesto’s passing in 1986, the couple made sure to enjoy the outdoors, travel, and celebrate their Cuban culture with family and friends.

Angelita enjoyed life to the fullest and truly appreciated every day. Her hobbies ranged from skiing and fishing to dancing, travelling, wine, parties, and spending time with family and friends. She was rarely seen without her signature red lipstick and beautiful smile. Her love of life combined with her personality allowed her to make connections everywhere she went. Skiing with the Dallas Ski Club, Angelita travelled around the world and, through this, met her second husband, Dr. Erskin Gaston. The couple enjoyed a rich, adventurous six years together in Dallas, where she also grew close to her stepson Alton and later his wife Jeanine and daughter Andrea (Drea). With Erskin who passed from cancer in 2000, she learned to mountain bike and camp as they explored the outdoors and travelled as much as possible.

In addition to her resiliency and generosity, one of Angelita’s most memorable personality traits was the value she placed on personal relationships. The epitome of a social butterfly, she loved meeting and learning about new people, forming a connection with them, and always had something positive to say about those she met. Likewise, Angelita was always the life of the party and lit up every room with her ever-present elegance, charisma and infectious energy. She was the first one on the dance floor and the last to go home at the end of the night.

Even when diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2014, Angelita’s zest for life continued to thrive. She never let her health struggles prevent her from enjoying her favorite activities. She always accepted a fishing invitation, continued to see and be seen in her favorite restaurants, and spent as much time as possible with her loved ones. Just like with any other challenge life threw at her, her positivity persisted, and she refused to be limited by her circumstances. She remained joyful and humorous, and her personality continued to shine even in her last months.

She cared deeply for her friends and, most of all, her family. Her connections with even distant family members were unparalleled, and she held a special place in her heart for her children and grandchildren. Amazingly, she was able to meet her first great-grandchild, Marcus, a few weeks before she left this earth.

For these and so many other reasons, she will always be loved and remembered by her family, friends, and everyone else she touched with her unforgettable spirit.

She is preceded in death by: her father and mother, her sister Moraima (Chiquitica) Fernandez, her first husband Ernesto Romagosa, her second husband Dr. Erskin Gaston, and her son Dr. Angelo Ernesto Romagosa.

Survived by: Sister Pilar Neyra, daughter Márian Maria de los Angeles Romagosa, daughter Lisette Romagosa Smyrnios and her husband Angelo Smyrnios, her daughter-in-law Patricia Romagosa, her grandchildren Nicholas Romagosa and his wife Michelle Romagosa, Dr. Michael Romagosa and his wife Dr. Amy Romagosa, Daniel Romagosa, Panos Smyrnios and Angelica Smyrnios, great grandchild Marcus Romagosa, niece Suzette Hendrick and nephew Ed Neyra Jr. and a host of beloved Romagosa nieces and nephews, cousins living in Spain and Mexico, and lifelong family friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Angela Romagosa Memorial Fund St. Jude Childern’s Hospital.

A funeral mass will be held at Calvary Hill Cemetery 3235 Lombardy Lane, Dallas, TX 75220 North Chapel on March 12th at 10:00AM with reception following at a separate location.

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