Maria Elena Vidaud de la Vega was born on February 23, 1931 in Havana, Cuba to parents Federico de la Vega and Olimpia Hernandez. She was an only child and spent much of her youth between their home in the Miramar District of Havana, nearby farm in Arroyo Arenas, and weekend retreat at Varadero. She attended Sacred Heart Catholic Academy in Havana where she built many lifelong friendships. On March 28, 1955, Maria married aspiring young Architect Guillermo Vidaud, to whom she was a devoted wife until his passing in 2021. In 1960, political turmoil in Cuba forced Maria and Guillermo to seek exile in the United States with sons William, Freddy, and yet-to-be-born daughter Maria Elena (Tina). Their path began in Florida, continuing to North Carolina, and eventually leading to Texas.
Maria was a compassionate person and a devout Catholic involved in various charitable programs supporting displaced refugees, disabled citizens, and Catholic ministries in general. The sudden passing of their daughter Tina in 1974 left a tremendous void in Maria and Guillermo’s life that inspired their increased involvement in refugee support programs and eventually taking into their home several international youth who fell victim to political turmoil abroad.
In the early 1980s, Maria co-founded Pan American Realtors where she practiced residential real estate until 1985. In 1988, Maria became employed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation where she worked until 1996 and received many honors by the U.S Department of Justice for her exceptional service.
Maria enjoyed travel, culture, the arts, social affairs, and simply celebrating birthdays and special occasions with her fellow lady friends. She will be remembered as classic, kind, and compassionate person who was deeply committed to her faith, family and friends. The inscription “In Memory of Enduring Love and Commitment to Family” on the Vidaud family monument is a testament to the shared values of Maria and Guillermo.
Maria and Guillermo were parishioners at All Saints Catholic Church in Dallas, Texas. She is survived by sons Freddy and William, and by daughter-in-law Aileen and grandsons William Anthony (Tony) and Josef Andres Vidaud.
A mass of Christian Burial for Maria will be held Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Calvary Hill North Chapel (Inside Mausoleum), 3235 Lombardy Ln, Dallas, Texas 75220. Following the mass will be a reception.
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