Emma M. Schira's Obituary
Emma Schira, 81, of Miami, Florida died August 14, 2019.
Emma Mercedes Schira Carreras was born in Puerto Rico, on October 8, 1937. She attended Inmaculada Concepcion High School and the University of Puerto Rico. She was married to Luis Muñoz Torres for 39 years until his death on July 1 st , 1995. They had four children and eight grandchildren.
Emma worked as an administrative assistant for almost forty years, retiring from Sunrise Communities at age 79. Working as a stay-at-home mom for over a decade and as caretaker for her father, Pedro, for several years, Emma rejoined the workforce after her father died in September 1977. She dedicated herself to her employers, serving more than ten years at each job she held.
In her free time, Emma loved to travel, and was able to take several cruises, visiting most of the Caribbean, Alaska, and Norway, as well as sailing up the Rhine river from Amsterdam to Basel. Visiting her grandfather’s home village in Switzerland and seeing the Norwegian fjords were life-long dreams come true. She also loved to learn about and discuss politics, which she did with conviction, gusto, and fearlessness.
Emma loved celebrating life with her family, and was often seen sipping champagne or white sangria with her dear cousin Matera, surrounded by family and friends who loved her. She was also happy to cook for the family when necessary, as both she and her husband were great cooks.
She is survived by all her children and children-in-law: Emma Luisa and Manuel; Luis Humberto and Munira; Camelia and Oscar; and Carmen Ana; and by her grandchildren, Mariemma and Joel, Paulette, Luis Felipe, Juan Carlos, Pedro Antonio, Manuel Ricardo, Marcos Gabriel, and Luis Miguel. Emma is also survived by her loving older brother and sister-in-law, Peter and Mary, as well beloved nephews and nieces in New York, Arizona, and Colorado.
A memorial service will be held at Van Orsdel Family Funeral Chapel on Kendall Drive, Miami, on Saturday, October 5th, 2019 from 2:00PM to 6:00PM. Memorials should be made to Doctors Without Borders, Operation Smile, or any other child-centered charity, as well as the American Humane Association, the American Society for the Protection and Care of Animals.
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