Josephine Odio Hardin

HARDIN, JOSEPHINE ODIO December 10, 1913 - October 15, 2004 Nee: Maria Josefa Odio Buch Born in Santiago de Cuba, "Fina" would have turned 91 this year or as she'd have put it, "19." She was the second child of Maria Josefa de la Caridad Buch and Francisco Odio, and a carbon copy of her mother, whom she lost at the age of 9. Despite this early loss and being a widow three times over, her youthful, happy and generous spirit colored everything she did and served as an inspiration to others throughout her years. Her first husband was Pedro Enrique Wasmer Arnaz whom she married in 1938. They had a son in 1940, but the young husband succumbed to meningitis only 3 months after his birth. She then worked as an accountant at the Santiago Customs House, staying at first with her in-laws, before moving into her own home. Through relatives and friends, she met and married her second husband, the prominent Baltimore, Maryland dentist, Dr. Vincent H. Roca. In 1952 they had a daughter to join her son. During their residence in Baltimore, Dr. and Mrs. Roca were well known for providing loving refuge to many relatives and friends who left Cuba, and initiating them into the American mainstream north of Miami. After Dr. Roca's death, and her daughter's marriage, Fina moved with her son's family to Fairfield, Connecticut. She resided there until 1974 when she married her third husband, Mr. James Hardin, an engineer with the Baltimore Gas & Electric Company. She returned with him to Baltimore until Mr. Hardin's death in 1980. In 1980, Fina retired to Miami, where her daughter and son-in-law had relocated from New York. Although her active lifestyle was affected by Alzheimer's and Macular Degeneration in her later years, she continued to enjoy her family and friends, and reside at her home in Kendall until her death at Baptist Hospital. She is survived by her son Pedro E. Wasmer and his wife Ann, daughter Jo and her husband Otto Odio, and four grandchildren: Peter E. Wasmer and his wife Kathleen, Jennifer Ann Wasmer, M. Conrad Wasmer and Jessica M. Odio. Three great-grandchildren, Lydia, Sophie and Pierce Wasmer, as well as her oldest sister Maria Emilia Odio also survive her. Her other two beloved siblings, Ms. Berta M. Odio and Mr. Francisco M. Odio, passed on in 1981 and 2004 respectively. Friends and family are welcome at Funeraria Memorial Plan Westchester, 9800 Coral Way, on Monday October 18 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Mass will be celebrated at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 14177 S.W. 72 Street on Tuesday October 19. Please call the funeral home at 305-227-3333 for details. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the Red Cross Florida Hurricane Relief Fund, Alzheimer's Association, and Baptist Hospital Health Foundation.