Candida Raquel Varela

Candida Raquel Varela or simply Raquel, as she liked to be called, was born on July 5, 1926 to Candida Del Sol and Julio de la Caridad Cardoso in a farm by the name of "Los Quemaditos" (burnt embers). She grew up in Esmeralda, Camaguey, Cuba with 8 siblings.

There was lots of love and food cultivated in their own land.

During a dance in her hometown Raquel met the love of her life Jose "Pepe" Varela and they married in December of 1945 when she was 19 years old.  Their first daughter was born in 1947, Norma Susana (ultimately married Ivan Parron).

Shortly thereafter their second daughter Maria de Carmen Edubije or Mary was born in 1949.

In 1955 the family moved to a new country, they lived in Miami, Florida, USA.  Life was hard in a place where the customs, language, way of life and food were totally different. But Raquel a strong warrior of a woman accepted the challenges

without complaints. She enrolled the girls in school and enrolled herself at Lindsley Hopkins Vocational School to learn the English language. The family only had one car so she walked the twenty blocks back and forth from the girls school and then set out for her own school which was miles away.  All the while still cooking all the family meals, washing all their clothes in a bathtub that caused her knees to get calloused,

but Raquel took it all in stride and never complained. She would sing while she worked in the house. Sewing all the children's clothes, curtains for the house, installing linoleum floors, painting, baking Birthday cakes and keeping the house immaculately clean.

She never showed sadness or doubt at having to abandon her family in Cuba, but once in awhile there were hidden tears of sadness.

In the 1960's Fidel took over Cuba and many of her family fled the island. She took in many refugees into her family's home. Some that she had never met. She provided shelter, food, clothing and life essentials. When they found jobs and moved, Raquel provided sheets, towels, pots and pans, clothes, food and helped them get settled.

In 1968, her husband left the family. She became both father and mother to her almost grown daughters. It was a very sad, tough and emotional time for the entire family.  But Raquel persevered and showed us all the integrity and class inborn in her. She bought a house across the street from one of her daughters and paid for it fully all by herself.

Her first grandchild was born in 1969 and the others followed.  Ivan Jose Parron (wife: Nino),  Eric Parron (wife: Derly),  Erica Mora (husband: Chris Granino),  Matthew Mora, Kelly Witham (husband: Luis Perez), Patricia Parron and Manny Parron (wife: Yvette). She adored them all and they were her pride and joy. They adored her. She celebrated their every accomplishments with the joy only a grandmother shows.  Soon came the great grandchildren.  David Clark, Isabella Parron, Alex Parron, Nicole Parron, Amanda Parron, Emilio Tenacio, Lily Tenacio, Brooklyn Granino, Aubrey Granino, Jacob Perez, Everly Perez and Noah Perez.

Raquel was cherished by all who knew her, but most of all by her loving family. The kindness in her heart was well evident to all around her.

Her first two grandchildren named her Wawey and the others changed it to Tita or Abuelita.  She savored every moment with them.

Raquel was well-known for her now famous Cuban food.  But her specialty was flan and she made them for all family occasions.  Her name was synonymous with good flan.  Many people remember and crave the best flan ever made.  Raquel was the best cook without a cookbook, a little bit of this, a bit of that.  All recipes were in her head.

Her heavenly eggs (don't you dare say deviled) were one of her signature recipes, as were her stuffed pears.

She served many dishes with the extra ingredient of love that could not be copied.

Raquel was a God fearing woman that believed in Jesus and His saving power and the absolute power of God and relied on Him all her life to guide her through a loving and beautiful life.

The whole family will miss this beautiful soul everyday of our lives.

We will see you again sweet mom, grandma, and great-grandmother