Zoila Luz Robles, 92, known as “Beba” to family and friends, passed away peacefully in her home on September 16, 2022. Beba was born November 23, 1929 in San Luis, Cuba. She married her soulmate, Alfredo, after a long courtship. They had two daughters, Lucia “Sabrina” and Suria, whom they loved dearly. Beba sacrificed greatly to provide for her family. Scarcity struck Cuba after the revolution, but she was resourceful and adapted, learning new skills and working odd jobs to feed her family. Beba, along with Alfredo and their daughters, left their home, family, and possessions in 1971 to escape communism and seek better opportunities, but she always longed to return to Cuba after freedom was restored to the people. They moved to Bridgeport, CT where she worked as a seamstress, and relocated to Orlando in 1979. She adored and helped raise her five grandchildren, who affectionately called her “Abueli.” She grew her family by making friends whose children and grandchildren are now more family than friends. After her retirement, she cared for and became Abueli to several other children, whose families also became family. She would make friends with everyone and had cafecito ready for anyone who dropped by. She loved sewing, cooking, feeding people, gardening, her birds, telling stories, and spending time with her family. She loved her family, was stubborn, audacious, and had a sharp wit. She was also a force who knew her value, demanded respect, and made sure her daughters and granddaughters knew their value and expected the same. She passed those traits on and raised a line of strong, fierce, and determined women.

Beba is reunited in death with her beloved husband, Alfredo, parents Felicita and Manuel, and her 8 siblings. She will be missed by her two daughters, Lucia Sabrina (Tom) Berlin and Suria (Kevin) Ryckis; five grandchildren, Alexandra (Neil) Hughes, Donovan (Chelsea) Ryckis, Jacqueline Giralt, Amber Ryckis, and Jonathan Giralt; many nephews and nieces, as well as extended family and friends.

Visitation will be Sunday, September 25 from 5-8 p.m. at Newcomer East Orlando Chapel, 895 S Goldenrod Rd., Orlando, FL 32822. Funeral service will be Monday, September 26 at 11 a.m. Burial to follow at Greenwood Cemetery, 1603 Greenwood St., Orlando.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Beba’s memory to her favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

https://www.stjude.org/donate/srch/donate-in-honor-or-memory-of-someone.html