Ana Maria Moreno

Ana Maria Moreno (née Pages) was born in Veracruz, Mexico on October 27, 1922, and died peacefully in Conroe, Texas on July 16, 2021. Ana Maria was one of four siblings. Her brothers, Dr. Flavio Pages, and Rodolfo Pages, and her sister, Yolanda Pages Boudet, preceded her in death. She met and married her husband, Nestor Antonio Moreno, in Cuba. She was married on December 17, 1943, and had 43 years with Nestor before he passed away. Ana Maria had three sons who lovingly cared for her after Nestor passed away. Nestor Ramon Moreno and his wife Maggie, and Dr. Francisco Gustavo Moreno and his wife Jeannie welcomed her into their respective homes during various periods. Her youngest son, Ricardo Antonio Moreno, preceded her in death.

For a shy and reserved woman, Ana Maria proved to have a quiet strength that allowed her to guide and protect her family through many changes in their lives. In September 1961, at the age of 39, Ana Maria and Nestor were forced to flee Cuba and create a new life in the United States. Ana Maria would always carry Cuba in her heart even though she was never able to return to the island. Together Ana Maria and Nestor rebuilt their lives, learned a new language, and adapted to a new way of life. Ana Maria helped the family transition from a three-year stay in Miami, Florida, to a permanent move to Columbia, South Carolina. At the time, there were only two Cuban families in that state – Ana Maria and Nestor and Nestor’s brother’s family. Ana Maria adapted to her new home and became a US citizen in November 1970.

Ana Maria was once again forced to reinvent herself when her beloved husband passed away unexpectedly in December 1986. Slowly she became the fiercely independent woman so many of us got to know. In 2003, Ana Maria relocated to Sevierville, Tennessee, and 15 years later she moved to the Houston, Texas area. Ana Maria believed in fitness and wellness and because of this was able to live independently until her mid-90s.

Ana Maria spent her life devoted to her family. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her greatest joy. She had a knack of making everyone feel like they were her favorite person. Her grandchildren called her “Abuela Ana”, a nickname that then extend to many people beyond her grandkids. Her grandchildren in South Carolina, Amanda Moreno Duke and Cameron Nestor Moreno, were grateful to have her close by during much of their childhood. Her grandchildren in Houston, Ana Maria Moreno Kopf, Margarita Moreno and Cristina Moreno-Earle, enjoyed extended stays in Columbia, South Carolina as kids and then fun trips to Sevierville, Tennessee to visit with her. Her grandchildren in Sevierville, Tennessee, Nicholas, Ana Alexis “Lexi”, and Kylee Moreno, and Courtney Bohanan, were fortunate to spend much of their early years with her. Her grandchildren in Knoxville, Tennessee, Mandy Stallings, Abby Stallings, Sarah Moreno and their mother Carol, enjoyed the many visits she would make to Knoxville in their youth.

Ana Maria was fortunate to have spent many years with her great-grandchildren. Watching her spoil them and bond over bingo and ice cream was a joyous sight. Her great-grandchildren in South Carolina, Ana Maria “Andie” Duke and Tyler Duke, enjoyed their frequent visits to Sevierville, Tennessee. Her great-grandchildren in Houston, Ashley and George Kopf, Marina and Caiman Moreno-Earle, and Carlo and Emilio Masciangelo, savored the luxury of having her nearby in her later years. Ana Maria never tired of telling her great-grandchildren that they were perfect, and they never tired of hearing it.

Ana Maria’s family would like to thank her Strake Place family for their loving care during her residence. Ana Maria will be remembered at Strake Place for her quick wit and her competitive spirit.

A funeral service and burial will be held on Friday, July 23, 2021 at Cashner Funeral Home and Garden Park Cemetery located at 801 Teas Road, Conroe, Texas 77303. The family will be receiving guests beginning at 1:00pm. The funeral service will begin at 2:00pm followed immediately by the burial.