Gloria Maria Maldonado, 78 of Tampa, Florida, passed away into Our Lord Jesus Christ’ eternal rest on March 17, 2018 at her place of residence surrounded by her loving family and friends. Visitation will be held from 6pm -8pm, Tuesday March 20th and 9am – 10am Wednesday, March 21st with a funeral service starting at 10 am, at Blount & Curry Funeral Home at Garden of Memories Cemetery. Interment to follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery.
Mrs. Maldonado was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico on May 24, 1939 to Julio Aristud and Gertrudes Nunez who have both preceded her death. She came to Chicago, Illinois in the early 1960’s and married Pedro Pablo Maldonado Sr., who preceded her death in 1991. She lived a noble, humble, and honest life as a wonderful homemaker and proudly worked in many service industry positions. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, and friend. Her greatest accomplishments and rewards for living a blessed life were her children and her grandchildren. She was strong willed, determined, and a never easy willing to “throw in the towel” kind of woman. Despite the disadvantages, many illnesses, and setbacks in life, she was a true fighter until the very end.
She is survived by her beautiful and loving siblings Nelida “Nelly” Davila, Emma Miriam Torres, and Julio “Junior” Aristud. She is also survived by her son Pedro Maldonado Jr. and wife Sarah Mawazini, daughters, Gloria Maldonado and life partner Chris Campanile, Iris Cedeno and husband Joel Cedeno; and her surviving grandchildren are Cameron Maldonado, Corey Maldonado, Joel “Gordo” Cedeno, Jianna Cedeno, Kayla Maldonado, and Noah Maldonado. Also included to cherish her loving memory are her many loving extended family members, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 NIV
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV