Martha Fernandez de Castro

Martha Fernandez de Castro passed peacefully in Houston Texas on Saturday April 16, 2016 at the age of 93. Martha was born on July 29th, 1922 in Havana, Cuba to Rafael and Francisca Fernandez de Castro

She is survived by her daughter, Maky Abello and husband, Carlos; grandchildren, Martha and Dan Rutledge, April and Carlos Abello, Kristin and Raul Abello; as well as her great-grandchildren, Daniel, Patrick and Anna Rutledge, Carlos and Mia Abello and Jacob and Colin Abello.

Martha and her family fled Cuba following the Castro regime and moved to the United States where she lived a beautiful, determined, and loving life. Her grandchildren remember her as a patient and strong person and referred to her as Abita. While she was a loving grandmother, she perfected the trade when she became a great grandmother and was referred to as Yaya.

She overcame many challenges during her life. She was an inspiration to her family as someone who consistently overcame adversity and never looked back. She was filled with grace and made the best Cuban Ham Croquetas ever made. She took great pride in her family and in particular her daughter, Maky.

Maky is an exemplary wife, mother and daughter who selflessly was dedicated to taking care of her Mom.

The funeral mass will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, April 22, 2016 at St. Laurence Catholic Church, 3100 Sweetwater Blvd., Sugar Land, Texas 77479.

In lieu of flowers, donations to CYCLE (Changing Young Children's Lives through EDUCATION) in honor of Martha Fernandez de Castro, would be appreciated. CYCLE, 2200 Louetta Road, Suite 101, Spring, Texas 77388-4705 or online at www.cyclehouston.org

The family would like to thank all of her caregivers and in particular Rosa, Carolina, Mary, Lissie, Maria, Leti, Jose and RN Angie Valdes, all became part of our family and the tremendous staff at Sugar Land Methodist Hospital for their care and dedication.

A special thanks and gratitude to Dr. Miguel Quinones, who was very, very special to her.