Melba de la Caridad Abella Terrero

The youngest of thirteen siblings, Melba was born on September 8, 1931 in Baracoa, Oriente, Cuba to parents Caridad Guilarte and Avelino Terrero.

A raven-haired beauty, Melba caught the eye of Cleto Abella in 1951. On New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1952, Melba and Cleto were wed. They would go on to share 70 beautiful years of marriage. Melba gave birth to 5 children: Ruben (Cubiche), Marianela (Mara), Mariela (Silky), Juan Carlos (John), and Alejandro (Alex).

In August of 1967, to escape political oppression, the young family left their homeland of Cuba in pursuit of freedom. While Cleto and Ruben fled to Spain and remained there for nearly a year, Melba, her father-in-law, Anacleto Abella, and the younger 4 children exiled to the United States of America – arriving first at the Freedom Tower in Miami, then migrating to Manhattan, and finally moving to Queens, New York. Melba persevered for her family. She took on needlework and cared for neighborhood children to help make ends meet, all while caring for her own children in a very small New York City apartment. Being a nurturing and loving caregiver to children would be a lifelong vocation for Melba as she would go on to care for and help raise her beloved grandchildren.

In 1974, the entire family settled in Hamden, CT and in 1989, Melba and Cleto retired to their current home in Miami, FL. It is here, over the past three decades, that countless memories have been made and will be cherished by those who knew and loved Melba. Melba will always be remembered as an incredible cook who showed her love through the preparation of family meals. Favorite traditional Cuban dishes such as Ajiaco, Arroz Con Pollo, Arroz Chino, Bacanes, Tamales, Picadillo, Bacalao, and Ropa Vieja brought family to the table and closer together.

Melba was adored by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They will keep in their hearts the memory of late-night game marathons of Sorry, Rummikub and Coroto. Her spirited competitiveness and laughter will be deeply missed.

Melba was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is survived by her husband, Cleto Abella, their children: Ruben Abella, Mara Abella (husband Mitch Murray-deceased), Silky Shukis (spouse Peter Shukis), John Abella (spouse Cheryl Abella), and Alex Abella, as well as 8 grandchildren: Jessica Heron (spouse Alan Heron), Jennifer Velasco (spouse Julian Velasco), Gisela Robbins, Stephanie Shukis, Bianca Gast (spouse Mike Gast), Kayla Abella, Evan Abella, and Kaitlyn Abella, and 8 great-grandchildren: Isabela Marie and Sofia Grace Velasco, Griffin William and Bodhi Michael Gast, Ronan Patrick Heron, and Lilly, Laela and Luke Robbins. A visitation for Melba will be held on Sunday, July 17, 2022 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at Caballero Rivero Woodlawn South (www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries) located at 11655 SW 117th Ave, Miami, FL 33186. A graveside service will follow on Monday, July 18, 2022 from 10:00am to 11:00am at Caballero Rivero Woodlawn South. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Abella Family Endowed Scholarship Fund via the following website: https://give.communityfunded.com/o/quinnipiac-university/i/abella-family-endowed-scholarship-fund. Donations can also be mailed directly to Quinnipiac University Development and Alumni Affairs at 275 Mount Carmel Avenue, Hamden, CT 06518.