Sara Vallejo

Mrs. Vallejo was born in Bayamo, Cuba on December 17, 1920 and was married to Ramon Jose Vallejo in 1945. They emigrated to the United States with their children in 1962 and since then have made their home in Tampa. Mr. and Mrs. Vallejo shared a wonderful marriage for 25 years until his early death from cancer in 1970. She remained true to the memory of her husband for the rest of her life. While in Cuba, Mrs. Vallejo was a dutiful and devoted wife to her husband and mother to her children, proud to state her occupation as wife, homemaker and mother. The ensuing immigrant experience called for her to leave her mother and two sisters and brother behind in Cuba, never again to see them for 50 years, followed by her labors as a seamstress at Tropical Garment Manufacturing Company from where she retired in 1985 after 22 years of service. Sara eventually became an American citizen, something she saw as a great achievement and source of pride.

Mrs. Vallejo was known throughout her life as a positive person who loved to live life joyfully and fully. Even in her late years, she was prone to get up with her walker and dance to her beloved Cuban music to get the party on track. She felt the music in her heart and soul and she passed her dancing skills and love of Cuban music to her children and through them, to her son-in-law and grandchildren. With regard to her joyfulness and love of life, she was an inspiration to her family and all she came in contact with. In her later life, friends commented to her children how refreshing it was to talk with her since, as opposed to others her age, her outlook was always positive, sunny, uplifting and joyful.

She was a woman of great pride, something she felt most of all towards her children and grandchildren. She also passed on the virtue of honesty and the insight to know right from wrong. Mrs. Vallejo is survived by her beloved children and their spouses, Malena Vallejo Huber and Everett A. Huber III of Tampa, and Ramon J. Vallejo V and Maria Leon Vallejo of New Orleans; her 5 grandchildren, Nicholas Huber, Joey Huber, Ramon J. Vallejo VI, Lizette Vallejo, and Luis Vallejo; and a sister, Margot Reyes Rosales, who lives in Santiago, Oriente, Cuba.

Visitation will be held at Gonzalez Funeral Home on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 from 6 to 9pm. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 10:00 am at the funeral home. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in her memory to the American Heart Association or LifePath Hospice, Melech Hospice House, 11125 N. 52nd Street, Temple Terrace, FL 33617. Guest book may be signed online at www.gonzalezfuneral.com and/or condolensces may be sent to either of their children at 12914 Pepper Place, Tampa, FL 33624 or 5206 Pitt Street, New Orleans, LA 70115.