Hilda Soto

Born December 29, 1926, in Havana, Cuba, Hilda Camiña Soto was raised with seven siblings. Having lost her mother at the young age of 10, she had no choice but to become the strong woman that she was until her last breath.

Hilda met the love of her life, Armando Soto, while working at his aunt’s home as a cook and maid in Cuba. In 1949, the two were married in Key West, Florida, where they raised two daughters and began a 68-year marriage throughout which they remained inseparable.

Working tirelessly right alongside her husband, the two of them built a house for their family on Patterson Avenue in Key West—a lesson to her daughters that a woman’s job is not just in the kitchen. Later, she did spend much of her time in a kitchen when they opened the doors to the Truman Sandwich Shop. There, she prepared delicious Cuban cuisine, such as her papa rellenas, molletes, steak sandwiches, and choripan. It didn’t take long for the restaurant to become a popular eating spot for locals.

Hilda was an active member of the José Martí Lodge, and she worked as a teacher assistant at the San Carlos Institute helping her sister-in-law, Josephine Anderson, with her elementary school students. It was clear that she loved working with the children by her enthusiasm when she shared stories about them. After their eldest daughter moved to Winter Park, Florida, Hilda and Armando closed up shop and followed to be closer to their grandchildren. There they remained.



Hilda’s strength, strong will, and her joy for life have become an inspiration for her family. She loved to laugh and move to the Cuban rhythms. She didn’t let her last bone fracture stop her from dancing, even if it meant using a walker as her dancing partner. In 2016, in her early stages of Alzheimer’s, she was given a six-month prognosis. Taking this prospect as a challenge, she went on to live seven years past what her doctor had predicted. She fought a tough, long battle, and she fought hard.



She will be dearly missed by her loving family, which includes her two daughters, Aixa (Ruben) Trevino and Iris (Tom) Vagnini; four grandchildren, Ruben (Tricia) Trevino, Becky (Happy) Collazo, Michael Vagnini, and Steven (Melody) Vagnini; five great- grandchildren, Lauren (Benjamin) Sanders, Gavin Trevino, Enrique Collazo, Manny Collazo, and Marco Vagnini (his baby brother will be welcomed into this world in November). She also leaves behind several nieces and nephews, some still living in Cuba. She was predeceased by her husband, Armando.



The family would like to share their sincerest gratitude with Hilda’s caregivers, who have loved and cared for her like their own mother: Ines, Ellamin, Perla, Mirla, Jennifer, and Rafaela. They also want to thank VITAS Hospice Care Team #202 for the care given to Hilda during her battle with Alzheimer’s throughout the years, especially during her final days.

Mami would end evening phone conversations with: “Que sueñes con los angelitos.” And now, she will rest in peace with the heavenly angels.

A visitation for Hilda will be held Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, 7520 Aloma Avenue, Winter Park, Florida 32792. A funeral service will occur Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM, 7520 Aloma Avenue, Winter Park, Florida 32792. A committal will occur Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM at Glen Haven Memorial Park, 2300 Temple Drive, Winter Park, Florida 32789.