Maria Acevedo (August 27, 1937-May 10, 2022)

West Palm Beach, Florida

Maria del Carmen Acevedo Casas was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother. She is predeceased by her husband Jorge 'Pepito' Acevedo in 1998 and is survived by her children, Irania (Chris) Montello and Jorge (Stacie) Acevedo and her granddaughter Kiana Parsons.

Maria was born in Nuevitas, Cuba in the Municipality of Camagüey on August 27, 1937 to parents Consuelo Abreu and Vicente 'Nieto' Casas. One of twelve children, Maria, or Chola as she was most often called, is survived by her two sisters in Havana, Cuba: Gloria and Yolanda, and her brother and sister in Camagüey: Alfredo and Dora. She was predeceased by her siblings Argelia, Vicente, Jose, Francisco, Emilito, Zaida, and Noelia.

As a girl, Maria did not love school, however she did love clothes! Starting out by hemming the skirts and pants of her siblings, she learned to design original patterns. A quick-study with a love of fashion, she became a lifelong seamstress and dressmaker. She made many original dresses for herself, her daughter, and her granddaughter.  She made a custom denim backpack for her son, and altered his wife's wedding dress when they married in 2010. Maria regularly made alterations on the clothes of relatives, friends, and neighbors—in her heyday, she was known to mark, pin, and hem a pant-leg in 15 minutes or less!

Maria spent the first 30 years of her life in Cuba, and then on May 15, 1967 she immigrated to the United States with her husband. They fled to seek a better life for their two young children, leaving behind political persecution and food shortages after the Revolution. They would settle in Danbury, Connecticut where they were eventually joined by her in-laws, Maria Martinez and Francisco Acevedo, her brother-in-law Francisco (Pilar) Acevedo, and sister-in-law Niurka Garcia, and their families. They made their lives and careers in Danbury, where Maria raised her two children, while working as a caretaker of children, a seamstress, and a technician at American Radionics.

The extended family lived for over 30 years in Connecticut, and then eventually one-by-one most made their way down South. In 1999 she made the move down to Florida herself, moving to Boynton Beach with her daughter Irania, and finding a second-life in retirement. While in Florida, she looked after her granddaughter Kiana, and relished spending time with her beloved brother Jose 'Chemen' and his wife Enma with their grandchildren in Hialeah. In this later chapter of her life, she was so happy to be able to return to Cuba and spend a month each year with her family. Reunited after many decades apart, she felt so blessed to have the opportunity to spend that time with her family.

Known by many as la querida Tia Chola who cared deeply for her many nieces and nephews, Maria was always the nurturer, soft spoken and sweet to everyone. Always happiest when surrounded by her family and friends and feeding the guests in her home. From neighbors, to friends of her children, and anyone else who stopped by, no one ever went hungry if Chola was in the kitchen! Generations of friends and family knew her as the supreme cook of boliche, congris, ropa vieja, arroz con pollo, and many other Cuban favorites. After dinner, or mid-afternoon, she always had a pot of espresso brewing, ready to follow up every meal with her beloved Cafecito.

The supreme hostess of parties, holidays, and weeknight dinners alike, never needing to be the center of attention, but content to insure everyone else was having a good time. She will be deeply missed by her family, especially on the holidays, when we will think of her when the pork is served, but never as good as she could make!

A lover of Salsa music, and especially Salsa dancing, she had a fun-loving and a joyful spirit. It was not uncommon to catch her with Celia Cruz music blaring, curlers in her hair, a pot on the stove, and a broom in her hand—a multitasker!

Never a mean word uttered, and always a kind thought for those who needed help. She was charitable, thoughtful, and empathetic. In her 84 years she was ever the caretaker and helper. Maria was considerate, gentle, and kind to all.

Mami, Abuelissima, Tia, hermana, Chola, Maria, or however she was called, everyone who knew her loved her and she loved them! A people person to the end, in her final years of life when she struggled with dementia, she still found ways to joke and wink at all the men who crossed her path. Feisty, resourceful, and stronger than she seemed, Maria was genuinely and unapologetically herself, finding joy in life wherever she could.

A service will be celebrated at Boynton Memorial Chapel on Saturday May 14, 2022 at 1:00pm. Visitation hours will be 12:00pm until 3:00pm on that day as well.