Maria del Pilar Goicoechea

1920 - 2018

Maria del Pilar Goicoechea was born in Central Cunagua, Camagüey, Cuba on January 6, 1920 and died on March 8, 2018 at the home of her daughter, Madeleine, in Marietta, GA after a short illness. She graduated from the University of Havana Medical School in 1943. She interned at John Hopkins Medical School, Baltimore MD, and did residency in Radiology at Edgewater Hospital, Chicago IL.  She married Dr. Lorenzo A del Portillo y Puig October 12, 1944. After training they returned to Cuba to practice medicine. In 1961, following the Cuban Revolution, they immigrated to the United States, first working for the Veterans Affairs in Miami, FL and Birmingham, AL. In 1962 they moved to Milledgeville, GA practicing at the Central State Hospital until their retirement 1986. After retirement they moved to Coral Gables, FL. Lorenzo died on August 5, 1986. Pilar enjoyed playing the piano, painting, dancing and spoke several languages. She was an avid baseball fan and loved to see the Atlanta Braves play.  Her daughter, Ivonne del Pilar del Portillo Lightfoot, preceded her in death in August 2008 after a long battle with ovarian cancer. She is survived by her daughter Madeleine del Portillo of Marietta, GA and her son-in-law David Werner, grandchildren Kristina Pilar Werner Orchard and Alexander David Werner and son-in-law Andrew Orchard. There will be a Memorial Mass on May 12, 2018 3:00, St. Augustine Church, 1400 Miller Rd., Coral Gables FL. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Villa La Paz Foundation, P.O. Box 765507, St. Petersburg, FL 33734 or the St. Claire Monastery, 720 Henry Clay Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118.