The matriarch of a family who escaped political oppression in Cuba and prospered in South Florida died on Oct. 16.
Candida Rosa Nodarse Senra, of Miami Lakes, had four children with her husband Fernando Senra.
“She was always longing to go back to her country,” said Fred Senra, one of her sons. “She never forgot where she came from.”
Mrs. Senra, shown in the photo at right, was born in Sagua La Grande, Las Villas, in Cuba.
After the family moved to the United States, she was a full-time homemaker.
“She had a mind of her own, but she was a traditional homemaker, par excellence,” Senra said. “She loved being a homemaker, raising the kids and some of the grandkids.”
Mrs. Senra had three other children: son Luis, daughter Nuria and daughter Tammy, who was born in the U.S.
Though his mother famous for her poundcake and Spanish omelette that she made out of any
ingredients, including plantains, Fred Senra said he treasures her influence upon his work ethic.
“I feel like my success in life has to do with her,” Fred Senra said. He is a partner in the Miami Lakes AutoMall dealership. “She emphasized always, hard work first.”
Candida Senra was a communicant of Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church and was a member of the congregation before the church itself was built, her son said.
Mrs. Senra was predeceased by her husband Fernando and son Luis.
In addition to her the spouses of her adult children, she is survived by 13 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and a great-grandchild, as well as a sister, Margot Nodarse, who remained in Cuba.
Photo of Candida Senra courtesy of the Senra family.