Mrs. Argentina Tina Maria Duran Soto

Argentina Maria Duran was born on October 30, 1922 in Bocas Del Toro, Panama to Narciso Duran & Isabel Herrera. She was one of five children raised in Panama. “Tina” as she was most known, was simple, yet complicated. She was genuine, honest, and what you saw was what you got. She was very straight forward and knew what she wanted. Tina married Lino Soto in 1960, they raised five children and were married 35 years before his passing in 1995.

Tina loved family, and her way of showing it was cooking for them. She made the best “ carinamanolas” or “footballs”, a Panamanian comfort food. Tina also baked cakes too! She loved being in her garden, surrounded by beautiful flowers, it reminded her of Panama. Tina loved watching her “novelas” or Spanish soap operas. She also enjoyed Elvis Presley, the movie “Evita” and loved Spanish music. Some of her favorites were Los Panchos, Luis Miguel, Julio Iglesias & Tom Jones. Argentina loved to travel. She had visited Canada, Hawaii & the Carribean. One of her favorite places to visit was the Vatican in Italy. She was a vibrant, beautiful, strong, independent woman, generous and loving, she was a role model to her children and especially her grandchildren.

Tina’s name, Argentina, best describes her…A ~ a woman who has made our family strong ~ R ~ respected by her family and friends ~ G ~ generous with her heart and affection ~ E ~ enjoys the finer jewels of life ~ N ~ never is not willing to help others ~ T ~ treasured for her words of wisdom ~ I ~ is a master chef in the kitchen ~ N ~ now and always so unique and special ~ A ~ woman who is greatly loved.

Argentina Soto was called to Heaven on Tuesday, May 19, 2015. Wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, homemaker, caretaker, she will be missed tremendously. She was greeted in Heaven by her parents, Narciso & Isabel Duran; her husband, Lino Soto; her son Jorge Bassett; her daughter, Carmen Rodgriguez; and her siblings.

Her life & legacy will continue to be remembered and celebrated by her children: Bernice Giordano & her husband Anthony of Panama; Norma Lee & her husband Bob of New York; Melania Virginia Fernandez of Texas; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 9 great-great-grandchildren; and many more nieces, nephews, relatives and dear friends.