Isabel Somoza

Isabel Urcuyo
de Somoza,
former First Lady of Nicaragua, passed away peacefully at the age of 90 at her home in Houston on the morning of the 30th of August 2014.
Mrs. Somoza was born on the 31st of July 1924, in San José, Costa Rica. Her father, Clodomiro Urcuyo Argüello of Nicaragua, served as the Minister of Education under the government of Juan Bautista Sacasa Sacasa. Her mother was Amalia Rodriguez Crochet de Urcuyo of Costa Rica. Mrs. Somoza was the youngest of four children, including her brothers: Vicente Urcuyo, who served as Ambassador to Spain for Nicaragua, and Clodomiro Urcuyo; and her sister, Anita Urcuyo de Alvarado of San José, Costa Rica.
Mrs. Somoza moved to Managua, Nicaragua as a young child. There, she studied at Colegio La Asunción de Managua, where she earned a Bachelor of Letters and Science degree. In 1947, she married the great love of her life, Luis Anastasio Somoza Debayle, President of Nicaragua from 1956-1963.
Isabel Urcuyo de Somoza lived an incredibly full life, rich with history. Throughout her husband's presidency, Somoza Debayle relied on his wife for her wisdom, refinement and style. Mrs. Somoza accompanied her husband on many diplomatic tours throughout Europe, the United States, Mexico and Japan, where she was decorated by Emperor Hirohito with the Order of the Precious Crown in an effort to promote friendly relations between their two countries. She was also honored in Rome by Pope St. John XXIII, received by General Charles de Gaulle in Paris, and often said how much she enjoyed the company of American First Lady Mamie Eisenhower during an official trip to Washington, D.C. Other memorable encounters include visits with Franco of Spain and Indira Gandhi.
In March of 1963, she attended the Presidents' Conference in San José, Costa Rica alongside her husband. There, American President John F. Kennedy broke protocol by personally requesting to have Mrs. Somoza seated to his right for the conference's gala dinner.
During her tenure as First Lady, Mrs. Somoza gained the affection of the Nicaraguan people for her tireless efforts on behalf of the country's orphaned children, a cause dear to her heart, and to which she left behind a tremendous legacy.
Following her husband's death in 1967, Mrs. Somoza resided in New York City, where she had the privilege of serving as Honorary Consul of Nicaragua in New York, and as Ambassador to the United Nations for Nicaragua. In 1979, she subsequently moved to Houston where she lived privately for the remainder of her life.
Her grace, compassion and unrivaled elegance defined her to those who knew her. Throughout her life she maintained a keen interest in history, the arts, fashion and opera, but most of all she was dedicated to the memory of her beloved husband, her Catholic faith, a close group of family and friends, and her passion for watercolor painting.
Isabel Urcuyo de Somoza had the love, respect and admiration of her country, her husband, her children, family and friends and she will be forever missed and remembered.
Mrs. Somoza is predeceased by her husband, Luis Anastasio Somoza Debayle; and brothers, Vicente Urcuyo and Clodomiro Urcuyo. She was a loving and affectionate mother to seven children, many of whom have lived in Houston. She is survived by Bernabé, Salvadora, Luis, Alvaro, Fernando, Gerardo and Eduardo. She is also survived by eighteen grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and sister, Anita Urcuyo de Alvarado.
The funeral service is to be conducted at four o'clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 5th of September, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where Fr. Clint Ressler, Pastor of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Community, is to officiate.
Immediately following all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.