Maria Caridad de Armas Vidal

VIDAL, Maria Caridad de Armas of Richmond, passed from the arms of her daughter into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ on Saturday, August 23, 2008. She was preceded in death by her husband, Pio J. Vidal Jr.; her parents, Oscar Armando de Armas and Maria de las Nieves Isoba de Armas; and her brother, Dr. Francisco M. de Armas. She is survived by her only child, Maria Vidal Bagley and son-in-law, Samuel S. Bagley. She is also survived by her nephew, Frank de Armas; his wife, Marie; their boys, Miguel and Manuel; her niece, Sandra de Armas Marsh; and her children, Jessica and Justin; and her sister-in-law, Raquel de Armas, all of Georgia. Also surviving is a cousin, Oscar Isoba and his wife, Julia, of New Jersey; as well as a niece, Rita M. Donohoe; and sister-in-law, Griselda Vidal, both of Richmond; and childhood friend, Victoria Wedemeyer. She leaves behind her daughter's dear mother-in-law, Louella S. Bagley, as well as many American, Latin American and church friends. One of her favorite pastimes was playing with Brinkley, her most recent granddog. She also enjoyed traveling the world, painting on canvas and spending time with her family and friends. She received her Masters of Education from the University of Havana in Cuba where she taught English. She departed Cuba on one of the last Freedom Flights to the United States in 1962 with her husband, daughter, and her parents. The First Baptist Church of Richmond sponsored the family as refugees after arriving in Miami and relocated them to Richmond, Va. to be near her brother who was in the process of receiving his residency in Beckley, West Virginia. After arriving in the states, she worked at the Foreign Mission Board before landing a teaching job at Douglas S. Freeman High School for 23 years. She touched many souls with her love of teaching. After she retired from Freeman, she continued to teach Spanish part-time at the University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University. After retiring from her part-time teaching, she continued to teach Spanish as a volunteer at St. Mary's Woods Retirement Home, where she lived for a couple of years before moving to her last residence at Comfort Care Home on Harborough Road where she received compassionate and outstanding care. She was passionate about her God, which led her to use her creative gifts at West End Assembly of God by helping in the prop department for the many productions they put on through the years. The family will receive friends at Woody Funeral Home, 1771 E. Parham Road on Friday evening, September 5, 2008 from 6 to 8 p.m. with a Memorial service to follow in her honor on Saturday, September 6 at 11 a.m. at West End Assembly of God, 401 N. Parham Road, Richmond, Virginia 23229. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Music & Fine Arts Ministry at West End Assembly of God.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.