On Tuesday, February 16, 2021, Maria Antonia Almeyda went to be with the Lord. She passed at home in Ocala, Florida with her loving family beside her.
Maria is survived by her loving husband, Abraham Almeyda; her daughters, Gladys Blas and Maribel Torres; her grandchildren, Christina, Lisa, and Diana Blas, Catalina Vady, Armando Corujo, and Jessica Thompson; her great-grandchildren Jayden Blas, Alyssa Espinosa, Amayah Johnson, Jonah and Julia Vady, Kylie Minton, and Jeremiah Thompson, her sons-in-laws Noel Blas and Raymond Torres, grand-children by marriage, Victor Vady, Kashad Thompson, and Christian Cruz; and her remaining siblings, family, and friends.
Maria was born in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico on January 16, 1937 to Juanita Reyes and Felix Reyes. She was one of ten siblings. She was raised by her parents in Puerto Rico until the age of sixteen when she moved to Brooklyn, New York to live with close friends of the family to find work to help the family. While living in Brooklyn she met the man who would become her husband of 65 years and they lovingly raised their two daughters. Maria held various positions in her lifetime until she retired at the age of 62. She moved to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico for a time after retirement for the warmer climate, but missed her family in the states that she moved to Ocala, Florida in 2003.
Maria’s joy and passion was spending quality time with family and friends, cooking typical Puerto Rican dishes, and sharing her recipes with her daughters, grandchildren, and anyone who asked. She loved the beach and family outings. Most birthday parties, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve celebrations were held at her home. New Year’s Eve was a special celebration as her wedding anniversary was also celebrated.
Maria enjoyed plants and flowers, crocheting, and embroidery. She loved people, was kind-hearted and caring. She was loved by everyone who met her. Her beauty, contagious smile, love, and devotion to God, her family, friends, and acquaintances is her legacy.