Idda Alvarez

At the age of 93, Idda Alvarez, our dear mother, grandmother and great grandmother, sadly passed away on March 1st (2023), after a long and full life. Idda was a well-loved neighbor and church member in the communities where she resided. Including here in Tampa, where she also was a School Granny volunteer, and, lastly, in Miramar FL.

Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico in 1929, she met in New York City the man who would be her husband of 54 years, Samuel Alvarez. She is predeceased by her husband Sam and two of her sons. She is survived by her children Yoel, Abby (Abinadab), Raymond, Richard; and Ellen who lovingly cared for her since 2018. She is also survived by ten grandchildren Yoel Alexiz, Cristina, Alexis Samuel, Amy, Aponte, Arsenio, Janoral, Micaela, Javin, Ileana; and 14 great grandchildren. She will be terribly missed by all whose lives she touched.

If you would like to pay your respects, you are welcome to attend the memorial service we are holding in her honor at Blount & Curry Funeral Home at Garden of Memories, 4207 E. Lake Avenue, Tampa FL 33610 on Saturday, March 11th, 2023, starting at 11:00AM.

Idda Alvarez Garcia was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, in the barrios of Sabanetas. She was the youngest of three daughters born to Ramon Garcia and Maria Anita Diaz.

Idda worked in customer service as a translator, phone operator, toy & clothing factory worker, and in food service in New York City. It was there that she met her husband, Samuel Alvarez. In 54 years of marriage, they had seven children. Five of these children survive: Yoel, Abby, Raymond, Ellen, and Richard, along with 10 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.

Idda served alongside her husband as a church planter in Ponce and Humacao, Puerto Rico, and in Tampa, Florida, from 1972-1995. She and her husband moved to Kissimmee and then Tampa, Florida, where they continued their calling in church ministry.

In 2005, Idda became a widow. Even after losing her husband, Idda continued to display her gift of Christian service as a volunteer in an elementary school program. In 2018, her health began to deteriorate, and she moved to Hollywood to live with her daughter, Ellen. Even with her limited health and mobility, she found other ways to exercise her gift of service. One way she did this was by visiting the sick and providing words of comfort and encouragement. She continued to support members of her community and family until the Lord took her home on March 1st of 2023.

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

Ephesians 2:10