Avelina Ansoleaga's Obituary
Avelina Ansoleaga, age 77, passed away peacefully on Wednesday November 8th at the Meleche Hospice House in Tampa, Fl after a strong and courageous battle. She was born June 29th, 1940 in LaCoruña, Galicia in Spain with stops in England, Milwaukee, WI, and Memphis, TN.
Avelina truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures such as chatting on the phone with friends and family, keeping her garden the greenest in the neighborhood, or just walking down the street to check on neighbors if she hasn’t seen them in a day or two. She loved to people watch as she would lean on the interior portion of the window sill in the garage, just to watch people go by. Many neighborhood walkers would know this and always look for her as they walk down the street. If you heard her yelling at her home, more than likely, she was yelling at her favorite hometown soccer team, FC Deportivo Coruña.
Avelina shined best in the presence of her granddaughter, Sophia. In her eyes, she could do no wrong. Known as “abuela”, she would always try to make sure Sophia had her favorite black beans and rice ready for her when she came for a visit. In typical “abuela” form, she would always slip her some money with the simple disclaimer, “save your money!”.
She was preceded by her loving and devoted husband, Manuel Santiago Ansoleaga. She is survived by her two sons, Javier Juan Ansoleaga and Manuel Francisco Ansoleaga of Tampa, Florida, granddaughter Sophia Rose Ansoleaga, step brothers and sisters, William Raasch, Eunice Rassch, and Bunny Rassch, nephew Josh Hooten Raasch plus numerous relatives back home in Spain.
Avelina was the true definition of what it meant to be a strong woman, a wife, a mother, and a grandmother. The most loyal wife a man could ask for, she is now reunited with her dear loving husband in heaven. As a mother, she did everything possible for her sons, to make sure they grew up to be honorable and respectful men like their father. She spoiled her granddaughter and showed her to treat people right and to respect her elders and to learn from them, for no school book can ever teach her life.
She always used to say, “don’t send me flowers when I’m gone, I won’t see them”. Therefore, in lieu sending flowers, she would appreciate a donation to St. Jude’s Research Hospital of Memphis, TN.
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