Olympia LaFuente Obituary (1920 - 2018)

LAFUENTE, Olympia Diaz,( known to most as Petie) , 98, of Tampa, peacefully passed away the morning of February 21, 2018. She was born in Ybor City ( Tampa ), attended V.M. Ybor Elementary, George Washington Junior High, and Hillsborough High School. After graduation from Hillsborough she attended Georgia State College for Women where she received her Bachelor's degree. She taught and coached at OLPH, Wilson Junior High, and Jefferson High School where she was the cheer leading sponsor. In 1943, she married Severino ( Sevie ) LaFuente. They were happily married for 66 years until his passing in 2009. In 1956, the family moved to the Republic of Panama where she lived for 25 years. In the Panama Canal Zone she taught at Balboa High School, Diablo Junior High, and Curundu Junior High. During her long teaching and coaching career she had a positive impact on many young people. Upon retirement she and her husband, Sevie, moved back home to Tampa to be with their families and friends. She loved her garden and flowers. She would work in her garden until her health and age didn't allow her it anymore. The most important things to her were her family and friends. She loved spending time and doing activities with her family and friends. She was a kind, loving, giving, and caring woman. She was always willing to help people and animals whenever they needed it. She will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by many. She was predeceased by her husband, Severino, her son Edward, her parents, brother, sister and many much loved family members and friends. She is survived by her son Russell LaFuente; Ray Eelsing, who was like a son to her; nieces Sandra Mims and Irene Thompson, and nephews Dr. Leslie Diaz Sr, and Henry M. Solares. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 1, 2018 at 4 PM at: Segal Funeral Home 3909 Henderson Boulevard Tampa, Florida 33629 The family will receive friends a half hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Congregation Schaarai Zedek, Lifepath Hospice, or The Humane Society of Tampa Bay, Inc. The family wants to thank Maria Luisa ( Laura ) and Luis Marin, and Iris Jomarrons for the loving care they gave her during the last two years and Ismelda D'Imperio for her loving care the two years prior.