Victoria Zaldivar

Victoria Ileana Maria Andrial Sutter de Zaldivar, 84 years old, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2022, at her home in Coral Gables, Florida.

Victoria is predeceased by her husband Dr. Armando Zaldivar, their son Yino Zaldivar, her mother María Rosita Sutter Chicco, and her father Manuel Moises Andrial Colás.

She is survived by her son Renzo Zaldivar, his wife Martha Zaldivar, and her grandchildren Giovanna and Sebastian Zaldivar.

Victoria was born in Havana, Cuba on August 26, 1937. She was a longtime student of culture and languages, repeatedly teaching English and Spanish as well as tutoring students in Cuba and Evanston, Illinois. She studied at numerous institutions including L’Alliance Francaise, St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic University, and Northeastern Illinois University. Her careers also included working as Secretary to the Consul of the Canadian Embassy in Havana, and as a healthcare administrator.

Victoria married Dr. Armando Alfonso Zaldivar Pita in 1963. Their inspiring love story remains a testament to their character as they endured Armando’s sixteen-year political imprisonment of hard labor by the Castro regime for tending to the wounds of those involved in the Castro resistance. During that time, Victoria cared for their two sons and faithfully visited Armando as often as she could while the couple exchanged countless letters. This devotion proved crucial to sustaining Armando’s morale through the hardship. Victoria also offered unceasing support to him after relocating to the United States where he had to train in Internal Medicine and Cardiology in Evanston, Illinois. Ultimately, their joint sacrifices and hard work led to the establishment of his successful cardiology practice located in South Florida.

A lifelong humanist and lover of culture, Vicky was an avid traveler and art collector. Her travels frequently took her throughout the United States to visit family and friends. She also traveled across Europe, including multiple spiritual pilgrimages to Rome and Medjugorje. Vicky loved the beach, good food, parties, and connecting with people. Laughter usually followed Vicky throughout her life and she was never short on unique stories to share from her many experiences along the way.

Vicky was known by all as deeply dedicated to her faith, her family, and her friends. She was devoutly committed to the Missionaries of Charity of Mother Teresa for over 30 years as a lay member. After being introduced to the group through her husband in 1989, she gave selflessly to helping “the poorest of the poor” as much as she could, even connecting with local Missionaries of Charity chapters during her travels. Vicky considered this involvement the greatest legacy that her husband left her following his passing in 2001.

Victoria Zaldivar brought joy, humor, and light to all she knew and leaves her own legacy of having uplifted countless lives through her love and service. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by her family and many friends.

The viewing will be held from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM on March 21, 2022, at Caballero Rivero Westchester.

The funeral mass will be held at her beloved St. Louis Catholic Church in Pinecrest at 12:30 PM and the internment will follow at Woodlawn Park Cemetery at 2:00 PM.

In honor of her love of festivities and social gatherings, a reception will be held from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at El Rincon Argentino on Douglas Road (RSVP with Mayra Vide Perez by March 18th).

In lieu of flowers, the Zaldivar family requests that donations of food and resources be made in Vicky’s honor to The Missionaries of Charity of Mother Teresa Shelter located at 724 NW 17th Street, Miami, FL, 33136.