Gladys Estape's Obituary
Gladys (Lalin) de los Angeles Estape, aged 81, passed away on Sunday, July 26, 2020 in Miami, Florida surrounded by her three youngest sons. She was born Gladys de los Angeles Diaz in Havana, Cuba on October 25th, 1938 to Dr. E. Perfecto Diaz and Maria de los Angeles Suarez, she was the youngest of two daughters.
She graduated from the Baldor Academy in Havana. She met her future husband, Carlos Ramon Estape, when she was only 15 and the two were married on March 1st 1959. Gladys and Carlos had four sons, Carlos (Allison), Roberto (Maria), Ricardo (Barbara) & Eric (Erika) and six grandchildren (Richard, Mark, Madison, Eric, Alex & Taylor), all of whom survive her.
Gladys and Carlos celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary shortly before his passing in 2019. The two of them were inseparable and loved to travel the world, she always made a point to sample all the desserts everywhere they went and most especially the ice cream. She reveled in having her family over for dinners and was a fantastic cook, everyone always raved about her black beans and her flan. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, devoted to her Catholic faith, always generous with her love and ready to help those in need.
After immigrating to the US with a newborn baby and only a few dollars in their pocket, they became an American success story. After years of struggle they started their own business, eventually selling it and allowing them to retire and volunteer their time helping other families at the San Vicente de Paul Catholic Food Bank (14205 SW 142 Avenue, Miami, FL 33186. We kindly request donations to this organization in lieu of flowers).
Because of attendance limitations due to COVID-19, funeral services will be limited to immediate family only, however a Memorial Mass at a near future date will be held where friends and family can remember her loving and generous spirit. She will be laid to rest next to the love of her life, Carlos.
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