Born in 1950 in Baracoa, Cuba to Yolanda Mendoza Vilató and Jose Luis Vilató, Maria came to the United States in 1967. She graduated from Port Chester High School in Yonkers, New York. For most of her adult life, Maria resided in North Bergen, New Jersey where she focused on the joy of raising her two daughters. Maria was a wonderful mother, daughter, sister and friend who saw others through a heart of love and kindness.
After moving to Tampa, Florida she took a position as administrator at Presbyterian Villas Senior Housing, where she was beloved by all the residents. Maria loved family gatherings and spending time with her friends. She collected butterflies because they are symbols of hope and vibrant spirits. Her greatest delight was in helping her daughters plan their weddings and prepare for the births of her granddaughters.
Maria is survived by her daughters Monica (Michael) Reed of Tampa, FL and Melissa (Ken) Kerwin of Wesley Chapel, FL; her precious granddaughters Gabriella Reed and Daniella and Gianna Kerwin; her mother Yolanda Vilató of Tampa, FL; her brother Jose Luis Vilató of Tampa, FL, as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, close friends and extended family in the United States, Cuba and Spain. She was preceded in death by her father.
The family requests that memorial gifts may be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018 or online at www.pdf.org.
Garden of Memories Funeral Home, 4207 E. Lake Ave., Tampa, FL 33610, has been entrusted with arrangements. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 20, 2018 at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church, 17512 Lakeshore Road, Lutz, FL 33558. Entombment will follow at Myrtle Hill Memorial Park.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18