Mirta Rodriguez
December 5, 1938 - August 5, 2012

"Thank you for the memories and traditions. You were the glue that bound and I will miss you always. Tu sobrina preferida, Maria Elena"

"Mirta was part of my living memory, of a world that will never be the same, not for her of course, nor me, and most of all to the husband, Mundy, son Ed, and daughters Patty and Susie she so unselfishly raised. It is true that we can never go back, but we yearn because there is a void in our life. Mirta leaves a void in mine but it is nothing to the emptiness I know that Mundy, Ed, Patty, and Susie feel. Mirta was about nine years old and I was 13. My home was at the mouth of the harbor of Sagua de Tanamo where my father and a brother were harbor pilots. Mirta's home was in one of the best neighborhood of Central Tanamo-Cayo Mambi, a company town on the north coast of the easternmost province of Oriente, Cuba. The town, her home, was some seven, miles by water, inside the harbor from my home. All travel was by water, there were no roads between my home, at the mouth of the harbor, and her town. Almost every Sunday during the summer months her entire family would travel by launch and would dock at our pier. They would unload baskets and coolers with food and drinks which they would set up under the generous shade of a massive mahogany tree in front of our home. Mirta and Lucrecia would invariably wear shirts that resembled newsprint, while Adriano Jr. (Coqui) and I plus some other friends would go swimming, or boating in one of our motorboats. In those days I always felt very inferior to their family and the class they represented. But not them, they treated me as a friend and shared with this guajiro, me, some of the goodies they brought with them. How can I forget!! Our lives took different paths and when we reconnected, Mirta was my cousin Mundy's beloved wife. I visited almost every summer for the last several years and my affection grew as the years went by. Just two months ago I visited again, but this time, there was no fish fry. I saw her in the hospital and she was as realistic as ever accepting the bad fortune dealt upon her and her dear family. We said good bye, or perhaps "hasta luego." May the Lord guard her stay in heaven and console and give fortitude and wisdom to her husband Mundy and to the beautiful family she dutifully helped to raise and left behind. "

"You have been my best friend, mentor, teacher, mom. I love you very much. You are such an angel the doors of heaven were already opened for you before you got there. I love you, miss you but you hear me talkin to you every night still asking for your advice. You are in the best place now. ;)"

"Tia has always been a wonderful part of my life. The "Florida Family" as we call them always welcomed us anytime. Tia I will miss you very much. Love Tita"

"Tia Mirta... on behalf of the Lindo family... we absolutely adored you. You had the biggest heart. You will forever remain in our hearts. Much love to Tio, Patty, Mundito, Susi and extended family. Rest in peace. We love you, Raoul, Jessie, Ana, Beba, Wito and our extended family. Besitos y abrazos"

"Mom forever in my heart.I will never forget (mean moms) our private joke! You gave us every thing we needed to be who we have become.You are my light house keep us safe. I will always look out for your number one. Love Patty."

"Descansa en paz, mi muy querida amiga. Fuimos vecinos por muchos años felices y siempre tenías esa sonrisa contagiosa en los labios. Yo sé que Dios ya te tiene consigo por la Eternidad. ¿Sabes que tu cara es la misma que cuando salí de Cuba? Nos veremos de nuevo cuando Dios lo quiwra...."

"Te recordaremos como fuiste, una alegre sencilla y muy buena mujer.Descansa en Paz Tota,Flaviana y Mimi"

"I will miss you dearly! Rest in peace and without pain."

"What beautiful memories I have of you! It is hard to believe how close I felt to you in the short time I got to know you. Disney word, tinker bell, visits to Pa, philadelphia, the Amish country will always be in my memory. I am so glad I got to see you in May. You were always upbeat and special to me. So easy to talk to and so wonderful to everyone. â--¦Words seem inadequate to express the sadness I feel about your death. I ;love you! With deepest sympathy to all the family. May the blessings of love be upon you, May its peace abide with you, May its essence illuminate your heart, Now and forever more.... Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow. Your final journey was tough for you and your family but I know that you are with the Lord, surounded by family and friends and enjoying the peace and tranquility of heaven. "

"Siempre te recordaremos con mucho amor. Descansa en Paz Yrma y Miriam Alfonso (Cayo Mambi)"

"Will always remember and be thankful for our "Cayo Mambi Reunions". I will miss your phone calls, your sense of humor, your apple cake and your sweet smile. "

"Mirta helped my son Gabriel Marin while he attended Fox Trail Elementary. She was like a grandmother to him; ver patient and loving. I'm very thankful that we had a chance to spend some time with her last week. We will miss you dearly, and may God bless you and your family. Rest in peace. Love, Cynthia and Gabe"

"When I think of you, I "see"a young girl standing in her garden in Cayo Mambi, similing,always smiling. Dearest friend I know you are smiling now. I will miss you and love you till we are all reunited someday in that beautiful city where the streets are paved in gold. Till then , my sweet friend, I will pray for your beloved family. I will hold you in my heart for as long as I live on this earth. You left us a legacy of love and honor that will guide your children and grandchildren's lives and even more so Your legacy is eternal. My heart breaks for you family and I weep sil4ent tears for you my dear sweet friend of all my life....but I cant help smiling also thinking of you sitting with the angels as they serenade you a love story of Jesus who holds you in His everlasting Arms. forever and a day. Lily Crosa Garcia"