Milagros "Mily" Perez-Distel

September 9, 1964 – October 27, 2025

Milagros Perez-Distel, 61, of Marco Island, Florida, passed away peacefully on October 27, 2025, surrounded by her loving family, with her husband and two sons holding her hand as she left this earth.

Mily was born on September 9, 1964, in Cienfuegos, Cuba, and fled to the United States on a Kennedy Freedom Flight at the age of four. She grew up in Miami, Florida, where she attended Barry University and earned her degree in Education. It was there, during orientation, that she met the love of her life, Markus Distel.

After graduating from Barry, Mily began her teaching career at a public elementary school in Miami. She and Markus married in 1989 and made their home in Germany, where she began teaching for the Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DODDS). Her career in education flourished as she inspired students across Europe with her warmth, energy, and dedication to learning.

Mily’s career in education spanned 30 years with the Department of Defense school system, where she served both as a dedicated teacher and later as an Instructional Systems Specialist for Math, Science, and STEAM. In 2007, she earned her Master of Arts in Education from the University of Phoenix, furthering her passion for curriculum development and innovative teaching.

Her years abroad were filled with travel, friendship, and unforgettable experiences. She explored much of Europe, embracing new cultures and building lifelong memories along the way. Their first son, Marco, was born in Stuttgart, Germany, in 2001. A few years later, after relocating to Madrid, Spain, they welcomed their second son, Michael, in 2005. The family lived in Spain until 2008, when they returned to Germany, where Mily continued to teach for DODDS. After a fulfilling career, she retired in 2015, and the family moved to Marco Island, Florida, where she and Markus built their home together.

Mily was known for her vibrant spirit, compassion, and selflessness. She touched the lives of everyone she met and had a gift for making people feel seen and valued. Her work as an educator reflected her belief in inspiring curiosity, creativity, and a sense of responsibility in her students and in all who knew her.

Her dedication to education extended beyond the classroom. Mily had a profound love for nature and the environment. She became a Certified Master Naturalist at the Big Cypress National Preserve and devoted her time to advocating for the protection of the Everglades and Florida’s unique ecosystems. Her commitment to preserving the natural world reflected her broader belief in nurturing and caring for all living things, and in encouraging others to do the same.

Above all, Mily’s greatest joy was her family. She devoted herself completely to raising her two sons, Marco and Michael, alongside her loving husband, Markus.

Mily was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023 and faced her illness with remarkable courage. She fought valiantly until her final moments, leaving behind a legacy of love, compassion, and purpose that will live on through all who knew her.

She is survived by her husband, Markus; her sons, Marco and Michael; her mother, Caridad Perez; her brothers, Hugo Perez and Hiram Perez; and her sister, Zully Perez.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, November 21, 2025, at San Marco Catholic Church, 851 San Marco Rd, Marco Island, FL. A reception in her memory will follow at the family’s home at 905 San Marco Rd. Instead of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to “Friends of Big Cypress National Preserve”, an organization Mily supported throughout her life.

The family kindly invites everyone to upload and share photos of their joyful memories with Mily, so that her warmth may continue to bring comfort to all who loved her.