Elena "Helen" M Cruz

Elena “Helen” M. Cruz, a lifelong resident of Tampa, passed away peacefully on December 9, 2024, at the age of 81. Born on December 18, 1942, in Ybor City, Florida, Helen lived a life filled with love, family, and dedication!

Helen graduated from Jefferson High School and later obtained her cosmetology license from Modern Beauty School. In 1964, she met her “beau” & “forever boyfriend” Aurelio at a dance in Tampa, and they married the following year at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Ybor. Together, they built a life filled with love and laughter, and their bond remained strong for over 45 years.

Helen’s career was diverse. She worked at Newberry’s and Susie’s beauty salon before opening her own salon which she successfully ran for many years. Alongside her husband, she also owned and operated A. C. Tile Setting Corporation, serving as its bookkeeper and Vice-President for over three decades.

Once her children, Aurelio and Michelle, were grown, Helen embarked on a new chapter as a bilingual teacher’s aide at Pierce Junior High and later at Roosevelt where her granddaughter attended school. However, her most cherished role was that of a perfect Abuela to Jason and Paige, a title she embraced with unwavering love and devotion.

Helen also found joy in sewing, playing cards, and traveling the world with her beau Aurelio.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Aurelio E. Cruz, her parents William and Maria Louisa Guito, her sister Yolanda Guito, her brother and his wife, George & Silvia Guito, her in-laws Miguel & Josepha Cruz, brother-in-law Alfonso Cruz and sister-in-law Antonia Hoag.

She is survived by her children Aurelio Cruz, Jr. and Michelle Cruz, her grandchildren, Jason Cruz and Paige S. Gonzalez, her brother Daniel Guito, Sr. (Mary), her nephews George Guito, Jr. (Rocky) & Daniel Guito, Jr. (Diana), her fur baby Daisy, and numerous nieces & nephews.

The family will receive friends at a graveside burial on Saturday December 21, 2024, at 12 noon at the Garden of Memories, 4207 E Lake Ave, Tampa, FL, 33610.