Maria Teresa Delgado Astorquiza's Obituary
Maria Teresa Delgado Astorquiza was born on December 21, 1940, in Fomento Las Villas, Cuba.
She was married to her devoted husband Jorge Astorquiza for 61 years. Teresa and Jorge met as teenagers in New Jersey during a trip she made to visit her sister Ofelia. After a loving courtship, they married in Fomento, Cuba in 1961. They later moved to New Jersey where they welcomed their children, Maritza, Melissa, and Jorge jr. In 1975, they relocated to Tampa where together they launched Flayco products, Inc. a manufacturer of food flavors, food color, seasonings, and other products. Through hard work and perseverance, the business developed into a successful company supplying national and international clientele. Teresa served as the CFO of Flayco, Inc. for over 47 years and remained working every day until the day she passed away. Teresa was proud of the family’s collaborative accomplishment and enjoyed working alongside them. Jorge and Teresa enjoyed their life together at work, with family, on weekend outings, travel, and many memorable adventures. Teresa was a true role model for her children and family. She had a thirst for knowledge as strong as her commitment to her family and her business. While still raising her young family, she decided to go to college, where she received her AA degree with honors, in a language that she was still learning.
Teresa was preceded in death by her father, Bartolo Delgado, mother, Hortensia Dieguez, siblings, Delia Delgado-Arias, Raul Delgado, and Roberto Delgado.
She is survived by her loving husband Jorge Astorquiza, daughter Maritza Astorquiza and husband Alex Cora, Melissa Morgado and husband Randy, Jorge Astorquiza jr, and wife Kathy, grand children Alexis Morgado Campbell and husband Brock, Daniella Morgado and fiancé Jeff Bulson and Natali Morgado. Her precious great granddaughter Olivia Rose Campbell, sister-Ofelia Delgado Rodriguez, brother-in-law Hugo Astorquiza Sr. and wife Teresa Astorquiza.
Beloved nieces and nephews- Maria “Cookie” Valente, Alexandria Conti, Jeanette Martucci, Mercedes Riehl, Aileen Conde, Rubi Delgado, Harold Astorquiza, Herald Astorquiza and Hugo Astorquiza jr. Preceded in death by nephews-Marquito Delgado Arias, Eduardo Delgado and niece Rosa María Delgado
Teresa was a woman of strong faith and cherished member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church. She embraced every opportunity to bring others to Christ, by guiding and inspiring countless people through her leadership in the Cursillo Christian movement, church organized retreats, marriage encounters and outward love for the Lord.
Teresa was a trailblazer who used her gift of creative writing to create and launch St. Lawrence Church’s first Spanish weekly bulletin in the early 80s. She also originated “La Pagina Latina”, the Tampa Times newspaper‘s first Spanish language section published in 1982.
She loved to paint, sing, tell stories, be silly, make others laugh and impart words of wisdom. Teresa was a humble, intelligent, independent, selfless, compassionate and generous soul who devoted her entire life to raising a close-knit loving family.
You could always count on her when you needed encouragement, love, advice, compassion, a laugh, or a tight hug. Teresa was a light to all by her example of service, love for the Lord, and kindness to everyone. She earned her wings as a devoted wife, mami, welly, abuela, mother-in-law, sister, tía, daughter and friend.
Our family is thankful to God for granting her a place in heaven and lending us His precious angel. May God grant her eternal rest, and may perpetual light shine upon her until we see her again.
Su luz siempre brillará en nuestros corazones.
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