Maria Caridad Padro Cabrerizo Holm, passed away at home surrounded by her loving family in Indian Shores, Florida, April 20, 2024. She was born in Santiago de Cuba on November 19, 1929, to Santiago Padro and Mercedes Fajardo Cabrerizo.
Maria was studying to become a Pharmacist at the University of Havana. While attending the University she met her future husband, Robert (Bobby) Neil Holm and they married on December 1, 1951. At that time, she immigrated to the United States with her husband who was serving in the Army. Together they had 3 children, Darlene, Gladys (Mimi) and Mary (Marci) who they devoted their entire lives to. She was a dedicated homemaker and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother.
She was a homeroom mother, brownie and Girl Scout leader.
She also was a gourmet cook and loved spending time in the kitchen creating the most delicious meals. She came in 2nd place in the Ybor City Flan Festival in 2018. Maria’s love of nature found her spending many hours in her garden planting and maintaining her flowers and plants. She had a tremendous talent for interior decorating as well. She had a passion for music and dance, having the voice of an angel.
In her mid 40’s she received her associates degree in Fashion Merchandising from St Petersburg Junior College. She worked many years for the specialty boutique Ray Allen’s in Clearwater, Florida, decorating their windows, as a fashion store buyer and sales. She could make you look like a million dollars in the blink of an eye. She also decorated her husband’s windows at Holm Optical located in Largo, Florida.
She deeply loved the United States of America, freedom, democracy and the American Flag. The day she became an American Citizen was one of the proudest days of her life. She and her husband for their entire lives continued to support family and friends in Cuba sending whatever their needs were and was allowed by the Cuban Government.
We will cherish our memories of annual family vacations, family dinners and special gatherings. Most of all our favorite Christmas tradition started by mom more than 40 years ago of her gift of same pajamas from the patriarch to the infants in our entire family. I believe she was the trendsetter for this tradition. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends forever.
She is predeceased by her loving husband Robert N. Holm, her parents, grandparents, brother Santiago Padro, sister Gladys Alonso, her brother-in-law Jose Alonso, nephew Jose Alonso, Jr and great grandson Daniel James Cavallaro.
She is survived by her sister Irma Padro Cabrerizo, her three daughters Darlene Holm Fincher, Gladys (Mimi) Wills and Mary (Marci) Holm Haynes (Jeff). Her grandchildren Maria Giglio Sansone (Bill), Christina Jesuroga Martinson (Tony), Jon Daniel Fincher, Neil Holm Fincher (Karen) and Brandon Robert Haynes. Her great grandchildren Emily Bianca Cavallaro, Nicholas Pasquale Cavallaro, James Jesuroga, Sarah Jesuroga Coulter (Justin), Joel Jesuroga, Nathanael Jesuroga, Justis Jesuroga and Jedidiah Jesuroga and her great great grandson Walter Coulter, her nephew/nieces Robert Alonso (Ana) and Jackson, Gabriella Alonso, Angelina Alonso, Luis Felipe Garcia Padro (Isabel), Ernesto Garcia, Jorge Garcia Padro, Susana Garcia Cabrerizo, Amalia Garcia, as well as many cousins in Cuba and cherished friends that are chosen family. Maria was also known as Pucha/Puchie which means bouquet of flowers. That is our mom, and we will miss her forever.
Please join us to celebrate Maria’s life on May 11, 2024 at 11am at Serenity Gardens, 13401 Indian Rocks Road, Largo, Florida 33774 with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Empath Health/Suncoast Hospice Purple Team, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd, Clearwater, Florida 33760.
Website: https://suncoasthospicefoundation.org/donate/
They were our strength during a difficult time. We are very grateful.
Or
Shriners Hospital for Children 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, Florida 33607
Website: www.shrinerschildrens.org
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