Zoila Margarita Alvarez

Zoila Margarita (Margot) Álvarez was born in Unión de Reyes, a small sugar town in the center of Cuba. She was the last of the nine children of Ofelia Rosales and Agustín Sardiñas. Before Margot turned one, her father died of tuberculosis. She was raised by her mother and older siblings.

On March 20th, 1960, shortly after Castro came into power, Margot married Armando Alvarez, a radio broadcaster who took her to live in the city of Matanzas. In October of 1961, the couple welcomed their first daughter, Sara. In 1967, seeing no future in communist Cuba, Armando took his family to the United States.

Margot and Armando settled in California’s south bay. Armando found work in a furniture factory and Margot learned to sew in order to help support the family. In 1969, their second daughter, Ofelia, was born. Armando and Margot worked hard to give their daughters a better life, saving their money and never taking a vacation. In 1972, they bought a two-bedroom house in Gardena, and then in 1975 they traded up for a three-bedroom house in Carson. The family of four lived happily there until April of 1986, when Armando died of a heart attack, leaving Margot a widow at fifty-seven.

Margot found her happiness again when her grandchildren were born, first Armando in 1990, followed by Antonio in 1993, Ariana in 2001, and Gabriela in 2006. Margot helped to raise all four of her grandchildren. Their biggest fan, she found great joy in attending their soccer games, performances, and graduations.

Margot died peacefully in her home in Rolling Ranchos, where she lived in the loving care of Ofelia’s family. She was surrounded by her dearest loved ones: her daughters, her sons-in-law, her grandchildren and their partners, her nieces, her sister-in-law, her caregiver, and her dog Lola. She is now reunited in heaven with her beloved husband, parents, and eight brothers and sisters.