Efigenia Aracelia Luis

Efigenia Aracelia Luis, 88, passed away peacefully surrounded by family in St. Augustine, Florida on May 10, 2021.


Born in Havana, Cuba on September 21, 1932, Efigenia was the devoted daughter of Homobono and Julia Perez. After completing her education in dressmaking and design, Efigenia created many beautiful custom-made, hand-embroidered wedding gowns and other ensembles. She married and was blessed with two daughters while continuing to live and work on the family farm. At age 38 she fled the communist regime that had detained her and her family in labor camps and found safe harbor in Glendale, California. Her husband was initially denied leave, so despite having no money and knowing no English, she emigrated alone with her elderly parents and young daughters. From there her commitment to providing for her family knew no bounds: she learned English and learned to drive, she cleaned houses, provided childcare, stood to work at assembly lines day and night, and eventually settled into her final occupation as a medical records clerk for various southern California hospitals. Amidst all the hard work and long hours, she rekindled her love of sewing, regularly creating garments for herself, her children, and her grandchildren. She retired comfortably to Florida in 2000.


Efigenia loved to read and loved to travel. Cruise ships took her to far-flung ports, airplanes took her to her beloved Spain, and vans, station wagons, and trains took her all over the United States. Most recently, all travel centered around spending months each year doting on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is lovingly remembered as playful, funny, affectionate, and most of all, fiercely devoted to her family. Her legacy of love radiates in the hearts of those who adoringly called her Mami and Abuelita.


Efigenia is survived and deeply missed by daughters Zaida Luis and Zeida Molina, grandchildren Fatima (Mario) Juarez, Michelle (Chris) Grazor, Monica (Aridio) Gomez, and Mohammad Ghandour, and great-grandchildren Desiree (Eric) Arzate, Yasmine Juarez, Joseph Grazor, Teresa Grazor, Rosalinda Grazor, Ariela Gomez, Santiago Grazor, and Michael Grazor.


Ay mi amor. Te queremos mucho. Mucho de mucho.


Visitation will take place on Monday, June 7 from 4:30-5:30PM at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (1712 S. Glendale Ave., Glendale, CA). A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, June 8 at 10AM at Holy Family Catholic Church (209 E. Lomita Ave., Glendale, CA) with interment immediately following at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.