Leyda Cifuentes' Obituary
CIFUENTES, Leyda Emilia Damas, age 78, went into the arms of Jesus on April 9th, 2020. She was a devout Catholic who passed while receiving the Holy Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. She was an alumnus of Nuestra Señora de Lourdes (primary and secondary school in Havana, Cuba) with many friends from her primary school days still to this day. She was an active parishioner, room mother, and “grandma” to many children at St. Mark Catholic School in Southwest Ranches, Florida and an active member of the community of St. Mark Catholic Church. Her past included teaching religious studies and volunteering at various charities as well as outreach programs where she visited the sick, specifically with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. She enjoyed furthering her faith studies by attending retreats and seminars. Prior to her decline in health, she was enjoying the course "Porque Soy Catolico.” She was very proud of her faith and heritage. Her many travels around the world were held near and dear to her heart, but none as close as her visits to Jerusalem, Israel to visit Jesus’ homeland, Asturias, Spain, to get to know her ancestry and to Colombia to perform mission work. She was born in Havana, Cuba in 1942 and is preceded in death by her father Raul Cifuentes Alvarez (b. Asturias, Spain), and her mother Leyda Damas Artidiello (b. Pinar del Rio, Cuba). She is survived by her sister, Carmen Cifuentes, six children: Maria Lourdes, Lorraine Amalia, Richard Jorge, Eric Frank, Michele, and Nelson Fernando, as well as 16 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, two nephews, a niece, and three grandnieces. Leyda immigrated to Union City, New Jersey, United States on September 25, 1960, with her firstborn daughter and husband Richard Yecora (divorced 1982). She lived in New Jersey for a few years before moving to South Florida where she would spend the rest of her life. Her early years were spent as a wife, beloved mother of six and as a homemaker. When her children became adults, she spent some time working at Saks Fifth Avenue and Sears. Afterward, she worked as the parish secretary for St. Bartholomew Catholic Church. And, in her later years, she worked as a medical coordinator for Dr. Armando Roca, Sr. Leyda became ill on March 31st, 2017 with acute respiratory distress syndrome. She was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis and developed dementia. At the time of her passing, she was surrounded by her family, priest, and homebound minister. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, April 13th, 2020 at St. Edwards Catholic Church, 19000 Pines Blvd, Pembroke Pines, FL 33029, with Father Albert officiating. The family will receive friends Monday, April 13th, 2020 at 11240 N. Kendall Drive, Miami, FL 33176 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at the Van Orsdel Funeral Home. If you would like to sign the digital guestbook, please go to www.vanorsdel.com. The family would like to express their thanks to Ileana from Homebound Ministry of St. Mark for bringing Leyda communion for over a year as well as being her spiritual advisor, to Father Albert from St. Edward Catholic Church for his time and compassion during her decline in health and for all of the prayers from those who loved and knew her during her illness. Please say a prayer for Leyda's soul and when you see a sunrise think of her as it was something she loved. God bless.
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