Lucrecia Gay Duarte-

August 16, 1931 – October 12, 2022 Rockledge, Florida.

Lucrecia, “Miña” age 91, passed away peacefully in her home on October 12, 2022, after years of bravely living with dementia.

She was born in 1931 in Jovellanos, Cuba to Ramon Gay and Lola Piedra and married Efrain Duarte in October of 1946. In 1965, they fled to America after having seven children, with the last one born in Miami, Florida for a total of eight.

Miña survived the loss of both her husband and daughter Carmen Duarte Calero.

As the family matriarch she counseled, corrected and comforted her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren—as well as the multitudes of nieces, nephews and others that were blessed to know her. Miña was quick to remind children that “Your best friend in this life is your Mother.” She was just as quick to remind parents, “Remember what you were like at that age!” She radiated kindness, acceptance and love, but had immense inner strength born of a hard life covered by faith in God. Miña was an avid reader, a lover of wordsearch, puzzles and beautiful music—especially Brazilian singer Roberto Carlos whose voice calmed her in her last days of Life.

Miña is survived by her children: Efrain Duarte, Hector & wife Maria Duarte, Rolando & wife Teresita Duarte, Lucrecia Duarte & husband Jose Santana, Lourdes Duarte, Julio Duarte and Leticia Duarte; twelve grandchildren; twenty-two great grandchildren; and five great, great grandchildren.

A Catholic Mass will be held on October 18th at Church of the Little Flower in Coral Gables, Florida and she will be laid to rest with her husband in Woodlawn Park Cemetery in Miami.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to donate to The Diocese of San Juan De La Maguana in the Dominican Republic to help children who have nothing, ensuring they are fed, clothed and have a place to sleep at night.

Send to:

St John the Evangelist
Attn: In Memory of Lucrecia Duarte for the Diocese of San Juan de La Maguana
5655 Stadium Parkway
Viera, FL 32940.