Flora Perez, 97, celebrates being an American

     Flora Perez, 97, lives in Hialeah and spends a lot of time in Miami Lakes among her extended family that includes two granddaughters, six great-grandchildren and five great-great grand kids.

     After she left Pinar del Rio, Cuba for Miami in 1965, Mrs. Perez worked at a Homestead farm for 80 cents an hour, her great-granddaughter Amanda Socarras said. 

     That led to a career in factories until she retired. 

     “She loves this country that gave her the American Dream,” Socarras said. 

     The elder still enjoys cooking and entertains the family with her sense of humor, Socarras said.