Dr. Ofelia Tabares Fernandez

1929 - 2018

FERNANDEZ, Dr. Ofelia Tabares passed away on August 4, 2018, in Plantation, Florida, at the age of 89. She will be fondly remembered as a matriarch, economist, businesswoman, activist, and patriot. Dr. Tabares Fernandez was born in Camaguey, Cuba, on May 20, 1929, and, soon thereafter, moved with her family to Pinar del R¡o. She earned degrees from St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic University and the University of Havana, both in Cuba, ultimately earning a Doctorate in Economics. She was working for the equivalent of the Commerce Department in Cuba at the time of the Cuban Revolution. Recognizing the totalitarian bent of the Castro regime, she went into exile in Miami, Florida, in 1960. Her life in exile was marked by a dedication to service, particularly to family, children, education, the arts, and the cause of Cuban freedom. Her seemingly inexhaustible energy and force of will allowed her to serve others and achieve results in a wide array of civic and cultural activities. Among her many endeavors, Dr. Tabares Fernandez was a founder and officer of several civic organizations, including the Cuban Women's Club, the Cuban Patriotic Education Board, the Cuban Museum of Arts and Culture, as well as the since renamed American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora. She also served as a Trustee of Miami-Dade College and produced and directed a local, weekly, television show, Cuban Culture. She is predeceased by her son, Ruben Emilio, and her brother, Jose Raul. She is survived by her other children, Jose Rafael, Juan Marcos, Cesareo, Aurelio, and Josefina, their spouses, 19 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and a large and loving, extended family. Her funeral will take place in Miami, Florida, beginning with a wake to honor her memory at Caballero Rivero Funeral Home, 3344 SW 8th Street, this Friday, August 10th, from 2:00 p.m. on, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. John Vianney College Seminary, 2900 SW 87th Avenue, on Saturday, August 11th, at 10:00 a.m., with burial, immediately following at Flagler Memorial Park, 5301 West Flagler Street.