Maria "Maricusa" Catalá Petit was born in Camagüey, Cuba, on June 27, 1929, and peacefully passed away on Dec. 16.
She was married to Miguel Catalá in 1953 and they had three children, Maria Eugenia Catalá Wimmer, Miguel "Mike" Catalá, and Vicente Catalá. Maricusa lived in Cuba until 1968 and enjoyed a great life there surrounded with lots of family and friends.
She was a graduate of the University of Havana and received her doctorate in education. She went on to be a teacher and worked in education administration her entire adult life in Cuba.
In 1968, Maricusa and her family immigrated to the United States and settled first in Los Angeles, then her beloved Chino, Calif., for 38 years and, finally, settled in Ahwatukee Foothills. She went on to work and retire from General Telephone Co. in California.
Maricusa was an amazingly strong and dignified woman who always faced the challenges put in her path and made the best of every situation, always with a smile on her face.
She inspired everyone around her to be their best, always encouraging her children and grandchildren to study and go to school. She loved learning, reading, teaching and, in her latter years, completing her beloved word search puzzles.
Maricusa is survived by her three children, two granddaughters, and four great grandchildren, along with her brother, Arturo Petit. She was an amazing woman loved by all who met her.
