Marta Magdalena Carvajal Alvarez

Marta Magdalena Carvajal Alvarez, 92, passed away on January 4, 2024, in Austin, Texas. She was born on July 22, 1931, in Marianao, La Habana, Cuba. Marta was a remarkable woman who lived a life filled with experiences and adventures.

After emigrating from Cuba in 1960, Marta settled in various cities, including Panama, Dallas, Clear Lake City, Houston, Sunrise, Round Rock and Austin.

Throughout her life, Marta wore many hats and pursued various interests. She worked as a bookkeeper and had a remarkable memory for multiplication tables. Marta also held copyrights to several inventions and started multiple businesses. She had a passion for gambling and enjoyed playing poker, roulette, bingo and the lottery. Marta was a dedicated mother, teaching her children Spanish and coaching them in sports.

One of Marta's greatest joys was traveling the world. She explored numerous countries and cities across five continents. It is through adventure that one finds themselves and thus Marta's adventurous spirit led her to fly on a glider, a World War II biplane, a seaplane and a hot air balloon. She rode a donkey in Santorini, a camel in Egypt, an elephant in India, a motorcycle in Nassau and swam with dolphins in Orlando. Marta engaged in various thrilling activities such as scuba diving, hang gliding, Taekwondo, skeet shooting, horseback riding, zip-lining, windsurfing, parasailing, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, sailing, kayaking and cage shark diving. At the age of 28, she taught herself how to cook and her delicious recipes became the envy of many.

Above all, Marta was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother and aunt. She dedicated her time and energy to educating and raising her four children and ensuring her grandchildren lacked nothing. Marta formed close and lasting relationships with many friends, known for her endearing smile, kind heart and unwavering love.

Marta Magdalena Carvajal is preceded in death by her parents, Felix Carvajal Olivares and Blanca Alvarez Fernandez, as well as her siblings Maria L. Carvajal Jelenszky, Felix L. Carvajal, Jose M. Carvajal, Alberto F. Carvajal, Raul I. Carvajal and half-brother Enrique J. Coy. She is survived by her children Marta A. Navarro, Olga B. Navarro, Antonio M. Navarro, and Blanca F. Navarro; her grandchildren Juan Antonio Gallo (Maribel) and Natasha Navarro; great grandchildren Valerie Gonzalez, Priscilla Gonzalez and Joe Anthony Gonzalez; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Marta's passing leaves a void in the lives of those who knew and loved her. She will be greatly missed, but her legacy of strength, love and compassion will live on in the hearts of all who came to know her.

It is in the darkness of the night that we can see the stars. Marta is now a bright twinkling star in our heavenly sky.