Mirta Llerena Fernandez

Mirta was born on January 31, 1931, in Aguada de Pasajeros, Provincia de Las Villas, Cuba, the second of four sisters born to Rafael de la Asunción Llerena Mesa, affectionately known as Felo, and Máxima Dolores Echevarría Conde, known as Lola. From her earliest days, her Catholic faith and deep love of family shaped her life and guided her spirit.

Her father’s work with the railroad brought the family to Cárdenas, where Mirta attended the Instituto de Cárdenas and enjoyed a joyful youth filled with family and friends, music and poetry, days at Varadero Beach, and a mother whose seamstress talents delighted her daughters.

In November 1956, Mirta married her high school sweetheart, Horacio, at the beautiful flower-filled altar of La Iglesia Parroquial de Cárdenas. She began her professional life as a telephone operator with Cuban Bell and in 1958, she and Horacio made the bold decision to move their family to the vibrant city of Havana.

Following the profound changes brought by Cuba’s communist revolution of 1959, Mirta and her husband immigrated to the United States in 1965 with their young children, Mirta and Horacio, and later welcomed a daughter, Rosa.

Grateful for the opportunity to build a new life, she and her family mastered the English language and proudly became American citizens, while remembering their roots. She held various roles and took particular pride in her many years working as an administrator at Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX).

Above all, Mirta was a devoted mother and loving caretaker to her parents. She was a wonderful cook, and there was always room at her table—especially for newly arrived immigrant family and friends. Her home was a place of welcome, where meals were abundant and stories were shared and remembered.

Her legacy lives on in the family she cherished, the traditions she preserved, and the countless lives she touched simply by being herself.

She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Mirta is preceded in death by her loving husband, Horacio Jacobo Fernandez, her beloved parents and sister, Lourdes Bello. She is survived by sisters Nirva Prieto and Teresa Perez, her children Mirta Foster and husband William Warren, Horacio Fernandez and his wife Brooke, Rosa Smith and her husband Kevin, grandchildren Benjamin Foster and his wife Rebecca, William Foster, Kayleigh Smith and husband Colton, Alyssa Smith, and great grandchildren Rose Foster, Jacob Foster, Colton Smith, and Cooper Smith, as well as countless cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held at Earthman Chapel on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., with visitation beforehand from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at 13102 North Freeway, Houston, Texas 77060.