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Stories
Stories
In Latin cultures, you die twice. Once when your body leaves this world, and once when you are forgotten. Through our stories of Ileana we honor her, keep her alive in our hearts and connect over the life and legacy of a marvelous woman. We hope these stories help you to heal, grieve and know our Ili in a new light - that of her friends and family.
No problem was insurmountable. There was always a way. Ana on Ili
The earliest years of my life were idyllic, growing up in a home filled with 5 girls, 1 boy, my parents, my aunt and our grandmother. I...
When she asked “how are you doing?”, it wasn’t a casual form of greeting: she wanted to hear
Ili became my first friend after I resettled to the US. The fact that she spoke French while I was trying to grapple with the...
Michele Egan
Mar 14, 20232 min read
A photo story of Carlos and Ili
Most of my photos were lost during Hurricane Andrew but was finally able to find a couple. Taken at Miami Beach house. One of the many...
Carlos Perez
Sep 23, 20221 min read
My admiration for Ili has three strands at least. Charly on Ili
My admiration for Ili has three strands at least. As a professional woman she made life better for many people in Maryland and far...
Charly Lowndes
Sep 23, 20221 min read
No problem was insurmountable. There was always a way. Ana on Ili
The earliest years of my life were idyllic, growing up in a home filled with 5 girls, 1 boy, my parents, my aunt and our grandmother. I...
Ana Kelly
Sep 23, 20222 min read
Neighborhood friends - Pam and Paul on Ili
On a beautiful Saturday in Lewes (2021) the four of us rode from our home to the Ferry terminal in Lewes. What a fun ride together...
Tess Elena
Sep 23, 20221 min read
Sobre Mesa Karen Reina on Ili
After reading the incredible stories shared about Ili, it only confirmed what I already knew: I wish I had known her long before I had...
Karen Reina
Sep 16, 20222 min read
No regrets! Beth on Ili
I don't remember exactly when I first met Ili but I remember liking her right away. Her warmth and friendliness were immediate and it...
Tess Elena
Sep 16, 20221 min read
Jorge on Ili - Simplicity, sincerity, and compassion were her preferred mantles
Ili was not one on top of the latest fashions. Superficial trappings did not appeal to her. Simplicity, sincerity, and compassion were...
Tess Elena
Sep 16, 20221 min read
Thoughts on Ili's warmth and wisdom by her cousin Armando
My first memory of Ili was of sitting together in the back of a car going to Santa Maria del Mar, a remote beach east of La Habana. In...
Armando I Perez
Aug 29, 20221 min read
Leading the Charge Behind the Scenes
I am saddened by the early loss of Ileana in this life, but I find much personal gratitude in knowing her as co-worker, mentor and...
Craig Lowry
Aug 29, 20221 min read
Public Service Bar was High for Ili
I loved working with Ili! But she was tough. While most of the time when I was Deputy Secretary I just listened to her -- she was right...
Scott Jensen
Aug 29, 20221 min read
Hard work and a Tremendous Sense of Fairness - Ili by her colleague and friend Kim
I knew of Ileana by reputation only long before I had the opportunity to meet with her and then work with her at the Department of Labor,...
Kim Burns
Aug 29, 20221 min read
Family Bonds
When Mom brought us to this country from Cuba we were lucky enough to have family waiting for us with open arms and ready to help us get...
Ele Ingram
Aug 29, 20221 min read
On service & purpose
Growing up our dinner table conversations were always interesting. Many people have memories of their favorite meals and how they were...
Bri Lowndes
Aug 23, 20222 min read
Ili's Joy
I have so many happy memories of the childhood years Ili and I shared in our home and other favorite places in Cuba. We lived on the...
Maria Carmona
Aug 22, 20224 min read
Welcoming to pretty much anyone, provided they were kind - Bill on Ili
I don't have a particular story that can really capture the essence of Ili but here are some completely inadequate thoughts. First off,...
Bill O'Brien
Aug 22, 20222 min read
Ili from her friend Mary Ann Kinsella Meier
Ili was such a bright light, a kind light and a light that enveloped everyone she interacted with. Always a sweet word to share, and an...
Tess Elena
Aug 22, 20221 min read
Ili from her friend Karen - hiking while pregnant and hanging sheetrock
When Ili was pregnant with Brianna, there was a hike in Frederick to the Gambrill Watershed Park. Dan, Bill, Ili and I parked the car...
Tess Elena
Aug 22, 20221 min read
Wouldn't it be lovely
After the crash I was having a really disoriented time trying to access memories of my mom - which felt like she was being robbed from me...
Tess Elena
Aug 18, 20223 min read
Mending
My mother could mend things. Some of my earliest memories of my mother were her sitting it her antique sewing machine, hearing the click...
Tess Elena
Aug 17, 20222 min read
Story from Taelyn and Tenleigh
Story from Taelyn I have lots of memories of Tia Ili but one that stands out to me is one from a few years ago when we came to visit over...
Taelyn and Tenleigh
Aug 16, 20221 min read
Stories from Jocelyn
Ili was an instant Aunt to me as soon as Chris and I became a serious item. She opened her arms and her heart to me immediately and...
Jocelyn Ingram
Aug 16, 20221 min read
Christmas at the beach
For as long as I can remember, it was impossible to buy my mom a present. She'd learned the hard way, by losing everything as a child...
Bri Lowndes
Jul 18, 20221 min read
Ele on Ili
“Hey you”……my best friend, advisor, amazing sister, comforter and so much more. You were the calm during my stressful situations and you...
Ele Ingram
Jul 18, 20221 min read
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