Ligia was born and raised in Bucaramanga, Colombia, and from an early age was a pioneer and adventurer. Her parents owned a jewelry store where she acquired many skills as a child. Her father also owned one of the country’s first cars and she began to drive at age 12. Ligia worked at IBM as an assistant. She convinced a male friend at the company to teach her all about how to use the computers. Even though she was a quick learner, IBM would not hire her for a computer position because she was a woman. Thereafter, she emigrated from Colombia to the United States.
Ligia moved to Miami where she worked at the Americana Hotel in accounting, where her computer skills were valued. While living at the Parkleigh House, she met the love of her life, Alan, a young accountant from New York. They were married at Gesu Catholic Church in 1962 and spent 59 wonderful years together. Everyone who knew them together was inspired by the love that they shared.
Ligia’s passions were her family, travel, and working at Land ‘N’ Sea, a company her husband, Alan, co-founded. Over the years, Ligia dragged Alan on trips all over the world. Nevertheless, her favorite vacations were the family reunions each summer at Mohonk and the family cruises with her grandchildren. She understood nothing was more important than family and hosted Sunday dinners for the family to get together every week. She fostered close family relationships for her children and grandchildren and instilled family values that are part of her legacy.
Ligia was preceded in death by her loving husband, Alan, her parents, Nicolas and Ana Covelli, and her three younger siblings, Nicolas (“Ico”) Covelli, Dolly Covelli Gomez, and Anita Fernandez.
Ligia is survived by her two sons, Charlie (Gail) and David (Dianne), eight grandchildren, Casey (Chad), David, Nikki, Katie, Johnny, Brian, Daniel, and Haley, and great granddaughter, Chloe. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at 2:45 p.m. at the Star of David Memorial Gardens Cemetery and Funeral Chapel, 7701 Bailey Road, North Lauderdale, Florida. A reception for family and friends will follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the wonderful staff at The Palace of Weston and Aston Gardens in Parkland for their care of Ligia (and Alan) while residents, and especially to Magaly, Ligia’s friend and aide for the past two and a half years following Alan’s death.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.1