Adolfina Alvarez

My Mother Adolfina (Fina) Alvarez was born on Sept. 2nd 1932 in the small province in Union de Reyes, Cuba. Fina grew up on a small farm that her parents Kiké and Agustina owned, along with five other siblings. Life was hard on the farm but everyone did their part and contributed to their portion of work. Her four brothers, Armando, Ponce, Fello and Beto would work the fields picking and planting beans, yucca and other veggies. Fina and her sister, Yella, would do other work around the house. Fina wasn't just cooking and cleaning either! She would feed and clean up after the chickens, check to see if they were carrying eggs, butcher and clean the chickens and other animals. And her cooking was AMAZING! Fina loved to cook and it showed. She wasn't happy until you had at least two servings.


It was on January 5th 1951, Fina was just 19 years old, sweeping the front porch of her house; she had no idea that day would begin a romance that would last 61 years. My Father, Calixto Alvarez, Caco for short, went to work at a school across the street where Fina lived. Immediately he was infatuated. He just had to meet this beautiful dark haired woman! They waved at each other like teenagers do and soon my Dad was knocking on Kiké’s door. A long courtship ensued and five years later they were married in 1956. In 1957 she began her new life as a Mother. Carlos was born on Oct 10 1957. Five years later and four days after her 30th birthday, and eight months pregnant with her second son Jose, Fina had the courage to board a 15-foot row boat for yet another major change in her life. The time to escape Cuba was now. People with differing views were being hunted and Dad had a lot of differing views. It would be just a matter of time before the communists caught up to him. If her husband were to be caught he would be imprisoned or executed and we would be ostracized and banished from a normal life and society. Fina felt she would rather drown together with her family and unborn son than to live in chains. Fina had Carlos the entire 35 hours of the voyage on her lap, terrified that we would capsize. The following day the tiny boat with eight people seeking freedom was rescued by the destroyer USS Borie704 (Wikipedia). It took three sailors to help Fina up the cargo net and to safety; her legs stiff and blistered from the salt water and sitting for so long. On Nov. 19, 1962 José was born in Miami. The Alvarez family moved to CA and settled in Torrance. On Feb 22 1964 Lilia was born. Fina and Caco played a major role in claiming the rest of the family in Cuba, providing housing, food and clothes until they became employed and self sufficient. Fina wasn't afraid of hard work and getting her hands dirty. When Dad was adding on to the house she climbed right up on the ladder, on top of the roof and helped lay down some tile. Mom loved to have all her family around her, especially at BBQ’s at our house with all her great grand babies. She also loved to cook and took great pride when introducing Cuban food to a new comer.
She was really upset when some of the grand kids went vegan and she’d often complain that they were all starving! Our Mom, Adolfina Alvarez, had a very blessed life here in the USA. She lived to see, hold, cuddle and play with four beautiful great grand-daughters, and she worked in her garden until she could no more. We are very grateful that we had her for almost 85 years.

Fina is survived by her Husband of 61 years Calixto Alvarez
Son Carlos Alvarez (wife Lisa)
Son Jose Alvarez (wife Lew)
Daughter Lilia Alvarez
Grandson Nick Alvarez (wife Cissy)
Granddaughter Brianna Zuniga (husband Jorge)
and great grand daughters Piper, Penny, Mila and our newest member Finley.

You will forever be in our hearts!