Dr. Luisa Casanovas de la Torre, a woman of great faith in God, passed away on March 23, 2022, at the age of 98, surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor her legacy. Luisa was born August 5, 1923, in Cuba to Martin Casanovas and Luisa Estape Casanovas. Luisa is survived by her son; Roger de la Torre from Pasadena, California, her daughters; Luisa Maquieira of Parsippany, NJ, and husband George, Maria Gillman of Kinnelon, NJ, and husband Bruce, Josephine Falla of Clearwater, Florida, and husband Dr. Juan Falla, Aline de la Torre-Mc Closkey of Morristown, NJ, and husband Timothy, Grandchildren; Jesse de la Torre, Ryan de la Torre, Amy Hirschfeld, George E. Maquieira, Kristen Murphy, Michael Echemendia, Laura Schneider, Eric Falla, Alissa Velazquez, Matthew Velazquez, Joseph Velazquez, and Great-grandchildren; Kiki, Stephen, Emily, Isabel, Xander, Evan, Olivia.
Luisa completed her Doctorate at the University of La Habana in Havana, Cuba. She was a professor and director of “Colegio Marti” in Santa Clara, Cuba. After arriving in the United States, she became a professor of Modern Languages and Literature at Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City, NJ. After teaching for over 40 years, she retired and moved to Clearwater Florida. Luisa impacted the lives of many of her students and shared her passion for learning over the years. Luisa was a civic-minded individual, a true pioneer, and adventurer. Earning many accolades and awards acknowledging many of her contributions: Woman of the Year, Who’s Who in Women in Colleges and Universities, and the St. Peter’s Highest Order of the Peacock award.
Luisa’s pride and joy was her family. Traveling brought her bliss and she loved learning about new cultures and meeting new people. Reading, especially Spanish literature, was one of her many hobbies. She enjoyed the arts, hiking, and found beauty in nature. Her pleasant personality was contagious to everyone she met
Her legacy will live on forever through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Luisa forever lives on in all of us.
A visitation for Luisa will be held Wednesday, March 30, 2022, from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 2853 Sunset Point Rd, Clearwater, FL 33759. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, March 30, 2022, from 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM, 2853 Sunset Point Rd, Clearwater, FL 33759. A funeral mass will occur Thursday, March 31, 2022, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 2281 FL-580, Clearwater, FL 33763. A graveside service will occur Thursday, March 31, 2022, from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park, 2860 Sunset Point Rd, Clearwater, FL 33759.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be directed to St. Peter’s University. Donations can be made online at: Https://alumni.saintpeters.edu/Give
Gifts should be designated for the Saint Peter Fund. After making a gift, indicate in the Tribute section that your gift is in memory of Dr. Luisa de la Torre. Or donations may be mailed to:
Saint Peter’s University
2641 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Jersey City, New Jersey 07306, a woman of great faith in God, passed away on March 23, 2022, at the age of 98, surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor her legacy. Luisa was born August 5, 1923, in Cuba to Martin Casanovas and Luisa Estape Casanovas. Luisa is survived by her son; Roger de la Torre from Pasadena, California, her daughters; Luisa Maquieira of Parsippany, NJ, and husband George, Maria Gillman of Kinnelon, NJ, and husband Bruce, Josephine Falla of Clearwater, Florida, and husband Dr. Juan Falla, Aline de la Torre-Mc Closkey of Morristown, NJ, and husband Timothy, Grandchildren; Jesse de la Torre, Ryan de la Torre, Amy Hirschfeld, George E. Maquieira, Kristen Murphy, Michael Echemendia, Laura Schneider, Eric Falla, Alissa Velazquez, Matthew Velazquez, Joseph Velazquez, and Great-grandchildren; Kiki, Stephen, Emily, Isabel, Xander, Evan, Olivia.
Luisa completed her Doctorate at the University of La Habana in Havana, Cuba. She was a professor and director of “Colegio Marti” in Santa Clara, Cuba. After arriving in the United States, she became a professor of Modern Languages and Literature at Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City, NJ. After teaching for over 40 years, she retired and moved to Clearwater Florida. Luisa impacted the lives of many of her students and shared her passion for learning over the years. Luisa was a civic-minded individual, a true pioneer, and adventurer. Earning many accolades and awards acknowledging many of her contributions: Woman of the Year, Who’s Who in Women in Colleges and Universities, and the St. Peter’s Highest Order of the Peacock award.
Luisa’s pride and joy was her family. Traveling brought her bliss and she loved learning about new cultures and meeting new people. Reading, especially Spanish literature, was one of her many hobbies. She enjoyed the arts, hiking, and found beauty in nature. Her pleasant personality was contagious to everyone she met
Her legacy will live on forever through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Luisa forever lives on in all of us.
A visitation for Luisa will be held Wednesday, March 30, 2022, from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 2853 Sunset Point Rd, Clearwater, FL 33759. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, March 30, 2022, from 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM, 2853 Sunset Point Rd, Clearwater, FL 33759, visitation will continue after service. A funeral mass will occur Thursday, March 31, 2022, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 2281 FL-580, Clearwater, FL 33763. A graveside service will occur Thursday, March 31, 2022, from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park, 2860 Sunset Point Rd, Clearwater, FL 33759.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be directed to St. Peter’s University. Donations can be made online at: Https://alumni.saintpeters.edu/Give
Gifts should be designated for the Saint Peter Fund. After making a gift, indicate in the Tribute section that your gift is in memory of Dr. Luisa de la Torre. Or donations may be mailed to:
Saint Peter’s University
2641 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Jersey City, New Jersey 07306
SHARE OBITUARYSHARE
v.1.12.1