Adela T Figueredo

Adela Teresa Figueredo was born on December 16, 1931, in Camagüey, Cuba, to Mother Conrada Buitrago and Father Isabelo Yllan of Iglesuela, Spain. She was one of seven siblings; her siblings Jesús, María, José, Isabel, and Carmen preceded her in death, while Humberto and Vicenta survive her.

From an early age, Adela's life was marked by education, achievement, and the arts. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education from the Normal de Kindergarten in 1954 and became a Kindergarten teacher in her hometown, Camagüey. A trained classical pianist and skilled seamstress, she studied piano for several years and learned tailoring under the tutelage of her sister María.

Adela built a lifelong career devoted to teaching. She became a United States citizen on May 1, 1990, and this past Mother’s Day was honored with the Wonder Woman Award from her grandchildren, a fitting tribute to a life given to family and community.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eduardo Figueredo Bello. She is survived by her children, Adela Parlette and Eduardo Figueredo; her grandchildren, Harry Parlette V, Thomas Parlette, Madison Figueredo, and Ethan Figueredo; her son-in-law, Harry Parlette IV; and her daughter-in-law, Sandra Figueredo. A loving grandmother to all, she was also a devoted mother who spent much of her time helping raise her grandchildren. She welcomed her grandchildren's friends warmly and enjoyed trips to Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico, and Europe with her family.

An excellent cook, Adela prepared many cuisines, Spanish, Cuban, and Puerto Rican among them — and was never afraid to try new recipes. She played classical music on the piano and helped her grandsons Harry and Thomas prepare for their piano recitals. A gifted Spanish teacher who instilled her native language in her grandchildren, she was a natural storyteller who loved sharing the places, people, and experiences of her homeland. She had a vast knowledge of tropical plants, trees, and flowers, and one of her favorite outings was a visit to the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park in Grand Cayman, whose grounds she cherished as though they were her own.