Ana Teresa Choroco

Ana Teresa Choroco was born in the province of Chupaca, in the mountainous region of Peru. Ana grew up fast, as at only 10 years old, she began helping her mom raise her younger sisters. However, she always found ways to bring herself joy, and a significant portion of her joy came from her faith.

Ana enjoyed participating in The Catholic processions of the Lord of Miracles (El Señor de Los Milagros) in Peru. She would always take great pride in wearing the traditional color (purple) during the month-long celebration.

Even as a small child, Ana had big dreams. She started her own tradition that every New Year’s Eve, she would take her small suitcase, place her favorite doll inside and at the stroke of midnight, she would go outside and walk around the house with her suitcase. When her siblings asked, what she was doing, she said this is how I will make sure I travel this year. Till this day, her son continues this tradition with his family. Every New Year’s Eve, they grab a suitcase and walk around the house to ensure travel is in their future that year.

Ana Teresa first started college in Peru to become a chemical engineer, but life led her down a different path. After meeting and later marrying her husband in Lima, she forged the path for her husband, sons and the unborn daughter to immigrate from Peru to the United States (Massachusetts) in 1974. Like so many immigrants, she came here to give her family a better life. She later finished her degree at a college in Massachusetts.

In 1980 she enlisted in the army, however, due to medical issues, she was honorably discharged. She has always been very proud to have been able to briefly serve this country.

For most of her life, Ana worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CAN). She would work long hours in nursing homes to ensure a better life for her children. It is in this line of work her compassion for seniors grew and she would always make sure those under her care were treated with dignity and kindness.

In 1991, after her son had been admitted to the University of Central Florida, Ana made the decision to keep the family together. She packed up the car and drove to Florida with her 2 children. She had no place to stay, no job, but knew she would make sure her son would start college on time. After the first night in Florida, she found a job and found an apartment, and her husband later joined the family.

She worked hard that first year in Florida, sometimes taking on back-to-back shifts. In 1992, she and her husband, Walter, purchased their house in Oviedo, Florida. The place she would call home for the rest of her life. She truly loved her home.

Ana had an unwavering love for her family. Ana fought hard and sacrificed so much to give her family a better life. She was fearless, ambitious, and always persevered. Ana displayed very strong self-esteem. She moved through life with the mindset she would succeed at whatever she set out to do.“What I admire most about ‘mi mamita’ was her strength and love. The love she had for us went beyond a motherly love. It was something so special and cannot be fully described. Every time I hugged her, every time I held her hand, every time I kissed her hello or goodbye, I could feel an overwhelming sense of love from her. That love will be irreplaceable. She displayed a strength beyond anything I have ever known. She never let obstacles stand in the way of her goals and dreams for herself and her family.” – Walter (son) “What I admire the most about my mom is her determination and belief that she could conquer anything. She didn’t let anything stop her from achieving what she set out to do. At less than 5 feet and with Spanish being her main and frankly dominate language she took on any challenge and with the strength from

within, kept right on going. I am sure there were times when she was afraid, but it did not stop her because she felt the responsibility of a mother, who would do whatever it took to forge ahead for her kids. She lived for my brother and me, she loved us and never gave up on us. That was my mom and that is what I admire the most about her.” – Jessica (daughter) Her family feels that her strength of character was her greatest trait. Ana was tough and had full confidence in herself. Once she made up her mind, there was no changing it. Her grandchildren know her as a ‘tough cookie’.

She is survived by her husband, Walter Eduardo Choroco; son, Walter Alexander Choroco (Tracey);

daughter, Jessica Choroco (Mark); sister, Irene Paglieroni; sister, Carmen Favorat; brother, Cesar

Camargo; and five granddaughters, Samantha, Emily, Sophia, Chloe, and Olivia.

Arrangements entrusted to Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, Oviedo Chapel.