A MESSAGE FROM THE FAMILY
- María Teresa Chacón, lovingly known as Maria, Terri, or Teresita, was born on March 6, 1941, in her beloved Havana, Cuba, to Dolores and Gersavio Urrutia. As their only child, she was deeply cherished and remained the light of their lives.
At the age of fifteen, she met the love of her life, José Manuel Chacón. Their bond was immediate and enduring. Together, they began building a life in Havana before making the courageous decision to leave Cuba in 1961. With a one-year-old child and another on the way, María and José departed on one of the last commercial flights out of the country, beginning a new chapter in Miami defined by resilience, sacrifice, and hope for the future.
Terri often spoke of those early years not in terms of hardship, but through the lens of love. She would recall how José treated her to special date nights at the Howard Johnson restaurant, small but meaningful gestures that reflected how deeply he adored her. She was the center of his world, and together they built a life grounded in devotion.
They went on to raise four sons: José Manuel Jr., Carlos Manuel, Francisco Manuel, and Alejandro Manuel. Their lives took them across the globe, but wherever they went, María brought beauty, warmth, and unmistakable presence. She had a deep appreciation for the finer things in life, from good food and art to fashion that was always impeccable. Her hair, makeup, and outfits were never anything less than flawless, and her love of jewelry was part of her signature style. She was, in every sense, siempre elegante.
In time, María and José made their home in Orlando, Florida, where they settled to be near their beloved grandsons, Marcos and Javier. Of all her roles, being a grandmother brought her the greatest joy. The boys remember her fondly, especially her glamorous presence at school pickup, always adorned with bold earrings and beautiful rings.
María became a familiar and beloved presence at the cosmetic counters and jewelry stores of the Mall at Millenia. She was known not only for her elegance, but for her kindness, warmth, and enthusiasm for life. She had a way of making people feel special, and she left a lasting impression on everyone she met.
In her later years, María faced the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease, which gradually took her memory over the past six years. While her family carries the deep pain of that loss, they find comfort in knowing she is now at peace, free from the burdens of illness, and reunited with her beloved José.
María Teresa Chacón will be remembered for her beauty, her strength, her devotion to family, and her love of life.
Her journey from Cuba to the United States, and the life she built along the way, reflects a deep enduring connection to her roots, her family, and the place she always called home.
The family is grieving this profound loss and will announce burial arrangements at a later date.
OBITUARY
Maria Teresa Chacon
March 6, 1941 – April 24, 2026
IN THE CARE OF
Maria Teresa Chacon passed on April 24, 2026, at the age of 85.
Born on March 6, 1941, in Havana, Cuba, Maria Teresa lived in Orlando, Florida.
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