Miriam Gutíerrez Marlowe

Miriam Gutierrez Marlowe

A Life Well Lived. A Heart Well Loved. A Faith Well Kept.

August 31, 1951 – June 29, 2026

"Some lives are measured in years. Others are measured in the hearts they touch. Miriam's life was measured by both."

With hearts overflowing with love, gratitude, and faith in God’s promise of eternal life, we celebrate the beautiful life and enduring legacy of Miriam Gutierrez Marlowe, who peacefully entered the presence of her Lord and Savior on June 29, 2026, at the age of 74, in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

Born on August 31, 1951, in Bronx, New York, Miriam spent her childhood and formative years in Puerto Rico, the island she proudly considered home and where her deep love of faith, family, and community first took root. Her life’s journey later carried her overseas to England, where she lived for several years, before returning to the United States and settling in California.

Following the heartbreaking loss of her beloved husband, David A. Marlowe, Miriam demonstrated extraordinary courage as a widowed mother raising young children while navigating life’s greatest challenges with unwavering faith and determination. She later returned to Puerto Rico for several years before making Florida her home in 1987, where she built a beautiful life, established lasting friendships, pursued higher education, served others, and continued creating a legacy of faith, strength, and

unconditional love.

Miriam’s story was never defined by the hardships she endured, but by the grace with which she overcame them.

After losing her beloved mother, Juanita Santiago Jorge, at only twelve years old, Miriam learned early that tomorrow is never promised. Rather than allowing loss to harden her heart, it deepened her compassion, strengthened her faith, and taught her to cherish every person God placed in her life. Years

later, she also mourned the passing of her father, Claudio Gutierrez Morales, carrying the lessons they instilled in her throughout the rest of her life.

Although she had once begun studying medicine, Miriam lovingly set that dream aside to devote herself to raising her family. She never stopped believing in the importance of education or personal growth. As an adult, she returned to college and proudly earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Gerontology from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida—a testament to her perseverance and her belief that it is never too late to pursue one’s dreams.

Throughout her professional life, Miriam served in several roles from her time at Leaseway in Puerto Rico to Church Administrator in Longwood, FL to a Property Manager and Assisted Living Manager in Tampa and New Smyrna Beach. Regardless of the title she held, she approached every role with integrity, empathy, and genuine concern for others. Caring for people was never simply what she did—it was who she was.

Family was the center of Miriam’s heart and the greatest joy of her life. Nothing brought her greater happiness than gathering those she loved in her home, preparing meals that nourished both body and soul, and creating a place where everyone felt welcomed, accepted, and loved.

She found joy in life’s simple blessings. She loved cooking, gardening, reading, solving puzzles, knitting and crocheting gifts made with love, traveling, listening to music of every genre, and dancing. She delighted in volunteering wherever there was a need, especially within her church community, believing that serving others was one of the greatest expressions of her faith.

Among her greatest joys was cheering on her grandsons from the baseball stands. Watching MJ and Jayden play the game they loved filled her heart with pride, while watching Alexia grow into a

remarkable young adult brought her endless happiness. Every accomplishment of her children and grandchildren became her own celebration.

During the final seven years of her life, Miriam experienced a beautiful season of companionship alongside her devoted life partner, Manuel “Chicky” Cuevas. Together they embraced the simple joys of everyday life—taking peaceful drives along the beach in New Smyrna, cooking together, tending their garden, dancing to their favorite songs, traveling, laughing often, and appreciating each day God blessed them to share. Their relationship was built on friendship, gratitude, mutual respect, and a deep appreciation for life’s quiet moments.

Above every earthly title she held, Miriam considered her greatest identity to be that of a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. Her faith was not something she reserved for Sundays.

It was reflected in the way she loved.

The way she forgave.

The way she served.

The way she prayed.

The way she welcomed everyone with kindness and compassion.

She volunteered quietly, encouraged generously, and lived each day with humility, grace, and unwavering trust in God’s plan. She did not simply speak about her faith—she lived it.

Miriam is lovingly survived by her beloved daughter, Gladys Aixa Melendez; her beloved son, Neftali Antonio Marlowe; and her cherished son-in-love, Mervyl Melendez, whom she lovingly embraced as her own and her son’s partner, whom she loved dearly, Mary Ann Boyd. She also leaves behind the lights of her life—her treasured grandchildren, MJ Melendez, Jayden Melendez, and Alexia Marlowe; her devoted life partner of seven years, Manuel “Chicky” Cuevas; her dear brother, Claudio Gutierrez; her cousin who was like sister, Edna Santiago; along with many beloved relatives, treasured friends, and countless others whose lives were forever enriched by her kindness, generosity, wisdom, and love.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, David A. Marlowe; her mother, Juanita Santiago Jorge; and her father, Claudio Gutierrez Morales.

To know Miriam was to know kindness.

She possessed an extraordinary gift for making every person feel seen, heard, valued, and deeply loved.

Her smile brought comfort. Her hugs brought peace. Her words offered wisdom. Her prayers brought hope.

She celebrated the successes of others without envy, carried burdens that were never her own without

complaint, and gave of herself expecting nothing in return.

She measured her life not by the years she was given…

…but by the love she gave.

That love continues to live on in every lesson she taught, every prayer she whispered, every meal she

lovingly prepared, every act of kindness she offered, every life she touched, and every heart she forever changed.

Some people simply exist.

Others leave the world brighter because they were here.

Miriam did both.

Although her family grieves the immeasurable loss of her physical presence, they find lasting peace in knowing that Miriam is now completely healed, embraced by the Savior she faithfully served, and reunited with loved ones who welcomed her into eternal glory. The faith she carried throughout her life has now become the promise she always believed.

Her legacy cannot be measured by titles or accomplishments, but by the countless lives made better simply because she was part of them.

Her life reminds us that true greatness is found in loving generously, serving humbly, forgiving freely, and trusting God completely.

She leaves behind a family forever strengthened by her example, forever grateful for her love, and forever

inspired by the faith she lived so beautifully.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Matthew 25:23

Forever loved. Forever remembered. Forever Our Angel.