Nereyda C. Fonte

Nereyda C. Fonte 81 of St. Petersburg passed away Feb. 25, 2012. Nereyda was born in Cuba and became a teacher, where she taught in a one-room school to children of all ages. She met the love of her life, Jose, while in Cuba. They were married just four months after meeting each other. After 82 days of marriage, he was imprisoned as a political prisoner. For three years, she wrote him a letter every day until his release, signing it "A�Your Guardian Angel." Jose and Nereyda left Cuba for Spain in 1966 and later moved to New Jersey in 1967. She taught math and science in the New York City school system until moving to Florida in 1993 for retirement. Nereyda enjoyed reading as well as gardening, growing and caring for orchids as well as other various plants. Her most important hobby, however, was caring for her husband Jose, whom she cared for dearly during their 53 years of marriage. Nereyda was a devout Catholic and was very involved in church life both in New Jersey and Florida. She is survived by her beloved husband, Jose; daughters Nereyda Fonte (Bill Brown), Nelayda Fonte (Loo Yap), and Lissett Fonte; son Jose M. Fonte; sisters, Maria Teresa Cabrera and Nayda (Jose) Fernandez; brother, Alfonso Cabrera; and many loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Nereyda was predeceased by her sister, Nila Mendez; brother, Juan Cabrera; and grandson Miguel Angel Fonte. Visitation will be held on Wednesday and Thursday nights (2/29 & 3/1) at the David C. Gross Funeral Home in St. Petersburg from 6-8 PM, with a wake service at 7 PM on Thursday night. Funeral mass will be celebrated 9:30 AM on Friday, March 2nd at The Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, 5815 5th Avenue N. in St. Petersburg, in the Our Lady's Chapel. Interment will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Clearwater. David C. Gross Funeral Homes, Central Avenue Chapel in St. Petersburg is serving the family. Service Information