Maria Valentina Munoz Pujals passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, surrounded by family. She will be greatly missed by her children, Jorge, Maria and Jacqueline, their spouses Mark, Cristy and David, and her grandchildren, Nicholas, Alexander, Lauren, Garrett, Antonio, Gino, and Trenton.
Maria Valentina Mitsuska Munoz Pujals was born in Havana, Cuba on March 29, 1938 to Valentina Pujals and Mario Munoz. The first of the cousins born, her aunts and uncles adoringly nicknamed her Nene. In these early years she developed a love of her Cuban roots and a fierce loyalty for family and friends, relationships that would last a lifetime. Her grandmother Maria Fernandez, a strong woman, was a huge influence on Nene. Her spirit of strength and independence created the backbone of Nene's personality and shaped how she went on to live her own life. As the eldest of the cousins, she developed her sense of nurturing, and became revered as the matriarch of her family. She was the "go to cousin."
Attending school in both Cuba and Miami, she became fluent in both languages. She attended the Universidad de Oriente for a time, then worked at Texaco.
Mitsuska, as she was lovingly known by her in-laws, married Jorge A. Marce in December 1958 in Santiago. They lived there a few short years before exiling to Miami. The story of her leaving her beloved Cuba was one she told with mixed emotions. When it came time to leave Cuba, visas were needed, and only three of the four visas arrived. She made the difficult decision to stay behind and send her husband and two young children to Miami while she awaited her visa. In the meantime, she gave birth to her third child and months later reunited with the rest of her family in Miami.
Shortly after arriving in Miami, she obtained a job as a secretary with Lazarus Development Corp. She was quickly promoted to Project Manager at a time when women did not typically hold these male dominated positions. Her long career in construction and home development spanned over 40 years. Known as "Mitzi" in the field, she was well respected by her colleagues. She supported her family and raised her three children almost singlehandedly.
Mitzi later met the love of her life while working at Lazarus, Marcelino Diaz, better known as Mussy. They married in June, 1981. Mitzi and Mussy spent many happy years together, enjoying traveling, cruising, and boating, until his passing in 1996.
Nene hosted holidays, life celebrations, and family gatherings, often preparing her arroz con pollo or puerco asado and often with games of Continental to follow. She instilled her love of this card game to younger generations and to anyone who showed the slightest interest. She played passionately and expected everyone to play "professionally."
An avid reader, she often consumed a book in three days. She enjoyed gardening, cooking and collecting roosters, turtles and angels, proudly displaying them throughout her home and garden. She loved to travel abroad and had a goal of visiting every US state. Nene loved to sew, pouring her heart into everything she made, and she made everything, at times with very short notice. She even made quilts from remnants of the old pajamas she had sewn for her grandchildren through the years!
In 2006, she boldly started a new chapter in Marietta, Georgia, to be close to her grandchildren. She continued to enjoy her life, hosting family and friends, enjoying her garden, making new friends, while continuing to remain close to her relationships in Miami, throughout the US and abroad. She immersed herself in the joys and triumphs of her grandchildren and bestowed her wisdom and strength onto them. She was a lover of languages, gathering and sharing quotes and poems that resonated with her, in both English and Spanish.
Our mother lived life to the fullest, waltzing through life rather than sitting on the sidelines. Our mom, always the caregiver, gave so much without ever expecting anything in return. She was beautiful, bold and strong, and never afraid to speak her mind, she made a lasting impression on everyone she met.
Mom, you will live on in our hearts forever, we love you, Jackie, Jorge and Maria (Puchi). Rest in Peace.
Written by Carmen Maria Pujal-Vila
Maria Valentina Mitsuska Munoz Pujals was born in Havana, Cuba on March 29, 1938 to Valentina Pujals and Mario Munoz. The first of the cousins born, her aunts and uncles adoringly nicknamed her Nene. In these early years she developed a love of her Cuban roots and a fierce loyalty for family and friends, relationships that would last a lifetime. Her grandmother Maria Fernandez, a strong woman, was a huge influence on Nene. Her spirit of strength and independence created the backbone of Nene's personality and shaped how she went on to live her own life. As the eldest of the cousins, she developed her sense of nurturing, and became revered as the matriarch of her family. She was the "go to cousin."
Attending school in both Cuba and Miami, she became fluent in both languages. She attended the Universidad de Oriente for a time, then worked at Texaco.
Mitsuska, as she was lovingly known by her in-laws, married Jorge A. Marce in December 1958 in Santiago. They lived there a few short years before exiling to Miami. The story of her leaving her beloved Cuba was one she told with mixed emotions. When it came time to leave Cuba, visas were needed, and only three of the four visas arrived. She made the difficult decision to stay behind and send her husband and two young children to Miami while she awaited her visa. In the meantime, she gave birth to her third child and months later reunited with the rest of her family in Miami.
Shortly after arriving in Miami, she obtained a job as a secretary with Lazarus Development Corp. She was quickly promoted to Project Manager at a time when women did not typically hold these male dominated positions. Her long career in construction and home development spanned over 40 years. Known as "Mitzi" in the field, she was well respected by her colleagues. She supported her family and raised her three children almost singlehandedly.
Mitzi later met the love of her life while working at Lazarus, Marcelino Diaz, better known as Mussy. They married in June, 1981. Mitzi and Mussy spent many happy years together, enjoying traveling, cruising, and boating, until his passing in 1996.
Nene hosted holidays, life celebrations, and family gatherings, often preparing her arroz con pollo or puerco asado and often with games of Continental to follow. She instilled her love of this card game to younger generations and to anyone who showed the slightest interest. She played passionately and expected everyone to play "professionally."
An avid reader, she often consumed a book in three days. She enjoyed gardening, cooking and collecting roosters, turtles and angels, proudly displaying them throughout her home and garden. She loved to travel abroad and had a goal of visiting every US state. Nene loved to sew, pouring her heart into everything she made, and she made everything, at times with very short notice. She even made quilts from remnants of the old pajamas she had sewn for her grandchildren through the years!
In 2006, she boldly started a new chapter in Marietta, Georgia, to be close to her grandchildren. She continued to enjoy her life, hosting family and friends, enjoying her garden, making new friends, while continuing to remain close to her relationships in Miami, throughout the US and abroad. She immersed herself in the joys and triumphs of her grandchildren and bestowed her wisdom and strength onto them. She was a lover of languages, gathering and sharing quotes and poems that resonated with her, in both English and Spanish.
Our mother lived life to the fullest, waltzing through life rather than sitting on the sidelines. Our mom, always the caregiver, gave so much without ever expecting anything in return. She was beautiful, bold and strong, and never afraid to speak her mind, she made a lasting impression on everyone she met.
Mom, you will live on in our hearts forever, we love you, Jackie, Jorge and Maria (Puchi). Rest in Peace.
Written by Carmen Maria Pujal-Vila
Maria Valentina Munoz Pujals passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, surrounded by family. She will be greatly missed by her children, Jorge, Maria and Jacqueline, their spouses Mark, Cristy and David, and her grandchildren, Nicholas, Alexander, Lauren, Garrett, Antonio, Gino, and Trenton.
Maria Valentina Mitsuska Munoz Pujals was born in Havana, Cuba on March 29, 1938 to Valentina Pujals and Mario Munoz. The first of the cousins born, her aunts and uncles adoringly nicknamed her Nene. In these early years she developed a love of her Cuban roots and a fierce loyalty for family and friends, relationships that would last a lifetime. Her grandmother Maria Fernandez, a strong woman, was a huge influence on Nene. Her spirit of strength and independence created the backbone of Nene's personality and shaped how she went on to live her own life. As the eldest of the cousins, she developed her sense of nurturing, and became revered as the matriarch of her family. She was the "go to cousin."
Attending school in both Cuba and Miami, she became fluent in both languages. She attended the Universidad de Oriente for a time, then worked at Texaco.
Mitsuska, as she was lovingly known by her in-laws, married Jorge A. Marce in December 1958 in Santiago. They lived there a few short years before exiling to Miami. The story of her leaving her beloved Cuba was one she told with mixed emotions. When it came time to leave Cuba, visas were needed, and only three of the four visas arrived. She made the difficult decision to stay behind and send her husband and two young children to Miami while she awaited her visa. In the meantime, she gave birth to her third child and months later reunited with the rest of her family in Miami.
Shortly after arriving in Miami, she obtained a job as a secretary with Lazarus Development Corp. She was quickly promoted to Project Manager at a time when women did not typically hold these male dominated positions. Her long career in construction and home development spanned over 40 years. Known as "Mitzi" in the field, she was well respected by her colleagues. She supported her family and raised her three children almost singlehandedly.
Mitzi later met the love of her life while working at Lazarus, Marcelino Diaz, better known as Mussy. They married in June, 1981. Mitzi and Mussy spent many happy years together, enjoying traveling, cruising, and boating, until his passing in 1996.
Nene hosted holidays, life celebrations, and family gatherings, often preparing her arroz con pollo or puerco asado and often with games of Continental to follow. She instilled her love of this card game to younger generations and to anyone who showed the slightest interest. She played passionately and expected everyone to play "professionally."
An avid reader, she often consumed a book in three days. She enjoyed gardening, cooking and collecting roosters, turtles and angels, proudly displaying them throughout her home and garden. She loved to travel abroad and had a goal of visiting every US state. Nene loved to sew, pouring her heart into everything she made, and she made everything, at times with very short notice. She even made quilts from remnants of the old pajamas she had sewn for her grandchildren through the years!
In 2006, she boldly started a new chapter in Marietta, Georgia, to be close to her grandchildren. She continued to enjoy her life, hosting family and friends, enjoying her garden, making new friends, while continuing to remain close to her relationships in Miami, throughout the US and abroad. She immersed herself in the joys and triumphs of her grandchildren and bestowed her wisdom and strength onto them. She was a lover of languages, gathering and sharing quotes and poems that resonated with her, in both English and Spanish.
Our mother lived life to the fullest, waltzing through life rather than sitting on the sidelines. Our mom, always the caregiver, gave so much without ever expecting anything in return. She was beautiful, bold and strong, and never afraid to speak her mind, she made a lasting impression on everyone she met.
Mom, you will live on in our hearts forever, we love you, Jackie, Jorge and Maria (Puchi). Rest in Peace.
Written by Carmen Maria Pujal-Vila
Maria Valentina Mitsuska Munoz Pujals was born in Havana, Cuba on March 29, 1938 to Valentina Pujals and Mario Munoz. The first of the cousins born, her aunts and uncles adoringly nicknamed her Nene. In these early years she developed a love of her Cuban roots and a fierce loyalty for family and friends, relationships that would last a lifetime. Her grandmother Maria Fernandez, a strong woman, was a huge influence on Nene. Her spirit of strength and independence created the backbone of Nene's personality and shaped how she went on to live her own life. As the eldest of the cousins, she developed her sense of nurturing, and became revered as the matriarch of her family. She was the "go to cousin."
Attending school in both Cuba and Miami, she became fluent in both languages. She attended the Universidad de Oriente for a time, then worked at Texaco.
Mitsuska, as she was lovingly known by her in-laws, married Jorge A. Marce in December 1958 in Santiago. They lived there a few short years before exiling to Miami. The story of her leaving her beloved Cuba was one she told with mixed emotions. When it came time to leave Cuba, visas were needed, and only three of the four visas arrived. She made the difficult decision to stay behind and send her husband and two young children to Miami while she awaited her visa. In the meantime, she gave birth to her third child and months later reunited with the rest of her family in Miami.
Shortly after arriving in Miami, she obtained a job as a secretary with Lazarus Development Corp. She was quickly promoted to Project Manager at a time when women did not typically hold these male dominated positions. Her long career in construction and home development spanned over 40 years. Known as "Mitzi" in the field, she was well respected by her colleagues. She supported her family and raised her three children almost singlehandedly.
Mitzi later met the love of her life while working at Lazarus, Marcelino Diaz, better known as Mussy. They married in June, 1981. Mitzi and Mussy spent many happy years together, enjoying traveling, cruising, and boating, until his passing in 1996.
Nene hosted holidays, life celebrations, and family gatherings, often preparing her arroz con pollo or puerco asado and often with games of Continental to follow. She instilled her love of this card game to younger generations and to anyone who showed the slightest interest. She played passionately and expected everyone to play "professionally."
An avid reader, she often consumed a book in three days. She enjoyed gardening, cooking and collecting roosters, turtles and angels, proudly displaying them throughout her home and garden. She loved to travel abroad and had a goal of visiting every US state. Nene loved to sew, pouring her heart into everything she made, and she made everything, at times with very short notice. She even made quilts from remnants of the old pajamas she had sewn for her grandchildren through the years!
In 2006, she boldly started a new chapter in Marietta, Georgia, to be close to her grandchildren. She continued to enjoy her life, hosting family and friends, enjoying her garden, making new friends, while continuing to remain close to her relationships in Miami, throughout the US and abroad. She immersed herself in the joys and triumphs of her grandchildren and bestowed her wisdom and strength onto them. She was a lover of languages, gathering and sharing quotes and poems that resonated with her, in both English and Spanish.
Our mother lived life to the fullest, waltzing through life rather than sitting on the sidelines. Our mom, always the caregiver, gave so much without ever expecting anything in return. She was beautiful, bold and strong, and never afraid to speak her mind, she made a lasting impression on everyone she met.
Mom, you will live on in our hearts forever, we love you, Jackie, Jorge and Maria (Puchi). Rest in Peace.
Written by Carmen Maria Pujal-Vila
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