Sylvia Lavandera's Obituary
LAVANDERA, Sylvia Garcia died July 14, 2016. She was born January 19, 1919, a native of the City of West Tampa. She lived there, and then in Tampa, her entire life. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Ralph Lavandera, Sr. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Mariano Garcia, Jr., and sisters Mary Walker and Margaret Aguero.
She is survived by her three sons and their families. Ralph Lavandera, Jr. (Alice), Joseph Lavandera (Mary Pat), and Henry “Hank” Lavandera (Fran). Her grandchildren: Ralph “RC” Lavandera, III (Kim), Debi Martin (Richard), Kelley Gould (Jeff), David Lavandera, and Joseph F. Lavandera. Her great-grandchildren: Nicholas Lavandera, Hailey Martin, Chloe Martin, and Austin Gould. She is also survived by her brother, Joseph Garcia, Esq. (Anne), and nieces, nephews, and several cousins, both in the U.S. and in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain.
As the oldest of five depression-era children, it was necessary for her to leave school at an early age to help support her family. She worked as a despalilladora in cigar factories until the demise of the cigar industry in Tampa. She then worked with the Hillsborough County Schools’ lunchroom program until her retirement. She never lost her love for learning and one of her proudest accomplishments was obtaining her high school diploma at the age of 56. She also enjoyed traveling and went on many vacations with her brother Joe and his family. One of the most memorable being a trip to Spain where she visited with aunts, an uncle, and cousins she had never met before.
Pallbearers: RC Lavandera, David Lavandera, Joseph F. Lavandera, Richard Martin, Jeff Gould, and Everett Herndon. Honorary pallbearers: Nicholas Lavandera and Stephen Garcia.
The family will receive friends for a Visitation on Tuesday, July 19 between 11 and 12 with a Funeral Service beginning at 12 noon at Boza and Roel Funeral Home, 4730 N Armenia Ave, Tampa. Entombment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Tampa.
The family extends its gratitude to Melissa, Olga, Miriam, and her other caregivers.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the West Tampa Boys & Girls Club, 1307 North MacDill Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33607.
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