Maria Teresa Torano's Obituary
Maria Teresa Torano, affectionately known as Nayuska to her family and friends, passed away peacefully at her home in Key Biscayne, Florida, on Friday, June 14, 2024. She was the eldest of three daughters born to Elisa Diego and Lorenzo Gomez Naya in La Habana, Cuba. Her childhood was filled with happy memories spent in their beloved Reparto Náutico as well as at the Casino Español, where she medaled in numerous swimming competitions in the butterfly and backstroke.
Forced into exile in 1961, Maria Teresa’s parents were able to enroll her in the Academy of the Holy Names in Tampa where she graduated in 1964. After graduation, she returned to Puerto Rico and began working to help support her family. It was there that she met the love of her life, Raul “Ruly” Toraño. After a brief courtship, they were married in 1968 and moved to New York where, with Maria Teresa’s support, Ruly developed a successful career in Spanish language television.
Throughout their 42 years of marriage, the couple shared wonderful adventures traveling internationally, attending sporting and music events, and especially spending time with family and friends. After retirement, they moved to Key Biscayne and established a summer home in Manchester, Vermont, where they spent years enjoying the equestrian community and offering generous support for the Vermont Summer Festival.
A huge animal lover, no one could doubt that a special part of Maria Teresa’s heart was reserved for her beloved dogs over the years: Toto, Tito, Morgan, Gibson, Mimi and Gibito. While maintaining her love for Cuba and desire for its freedom through support of organizations such as MAR for Cuba and the Cuban American National Foundation, she deeply identified as a patriotic American grateful for the liberty afforded to her by this country.
Her most defining characteristic may be the generosity that she openly extended to so many people in different walks of life through her many charitable contributions including the annual Christmas toy drive at the Little Havana Activities & Nutrition Center. She will be fondly remembered for her zest for life, positive attitude, and unconditional love that permeated everything that she was involved in.
She is survived by her sisters, Elisa Maria Juara and Maria E. Diaz-Albertini, her brother-in-law, Antonio Diaz-Albertini, and various nephews, nieces, and cousins including Jose Raul & Marlene Juara, Antonio Lorenzo & Mary Diaz-Albertini, Isabella & Carolina Juara, Alessandra & Joanna Diaz-Albertini, Jorge, Maruja & Matilde Chalgub and family, and the Toraño family.
Services will be held at Ferdinand Funeral Home, 2546 SW 8th Street, Miami, Florida on Friday, June 21, from 5pm until 10pm. A mass for the eternal rest of her soul will be celebrated on Saturday, June 22, at 10:15am at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 100 Harbor Drive, Key Biscayne, Florida, followed by a procession to Caballero Rivero Woodland South, 11655 SW 117 Avenue, Miami, Florida.
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