Maria A. Fernandez's Obituary
It is with profound sadness that the Fernandez family announces the passing of Maria Acela “Acelita” Fernandez (née Maqueira), 70 years of age and a resident of Lutz, Florida, who passed away on March 4, 2026.
Maria was born on December 6, 1955, in the municipality of Marianao in Havana, Cuba, to Zoila Roque (née Almora) and her late father, Inocente Geronimo Maqueira. In 1968, she left Cuba and came to the United States of America. She later graduated from Lee High School in New Haven, Connecticut, and thereafter attended New York University, majoring in social work.
After receiving her accreditation, she worked under the Vascular Surgery team at New York City’s Bellevue Hospital Center. She later became part of the management of the Vascular Surgery Laboratory at New York University Langone Hospital, and thereafter at New York City’s Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. She was responsible for the federal accreditation of Vascular Services, completing a total of 19 years of service.
On December 30, 1972, she married Gilbert Guzman Fernandez, forming a union of 53 years, 2 months, and 3 days until her passing. She is survived by her husband, Gilbert Guzman Fernandez; her mother, Zoila Roque (née Almora); and her daughters Sandra, Raquel, and Jennifer Maria Fernandez. She also leaves behind her grandchildren: Miguel Estephan Camejo, Adrian Rafael Cifuentes, Emily Maria and Olivia Acela Tarabocchia; as well as her Aunt Barbara Almora, Uncle Policarpo Almora, and cousins Sandra, Dalia Maria, Jorge Guay, Teresa, and Jesus Almora.
Maria loved life and was adventurous. She enjoyed dancing, traveling, and shopping. She truly enjoyed family gatherings, cooking, and spending time with her family celebrating the holidays together. In her free time, she loved to knit and crochet. Most of all, she loved being in the medical field, she took pride in her work and in helping others. She was a devout Catholic. She went above and beyond to make everyone feel at home and loved. Thoughtful and caring, she cherished being a grandmother, “Muma,” and loved her grandchildren very much. She loved the country where she was born and wished for its freedom one day, and she loved the country that became her new home, feeling immense pride the day she became a citizen of the United States.
A visitation will be held at Trinity Memorial Gardens, on Sunday, March 15th from 10am-12pm. A Funeral mass will be held at St. Paul Catholic Church, located at 12708 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33618, on 03/16/2026, at 10am, followed by burial at Trinity Memorial Gardens, located at 12609 Memorial Drive, Trinity, FL 34655.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in her memory.
Our family wishes to extend our genuine gratitude to our compassionate hospice team, who were always there with their support and care. We will always be grateful to them.
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