ANNABELLE MARIACA

MARIACA--Annabelle Ponce, passed away suddenly in La Paz, Bolivia on August 23, 2022 at the age of 76, while on vacation there with her husband and family. As she had wished, her ashes were interred in the Ponce family Mausoleum in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Annabelle is survived by her devoted husband Alberto Mariaca, her step children, Hugh Mariaca, Teresa Barnett, and Kristian Mariaca; her brothers and sisters Heliana, Maria Eugenia, Alvaro, Luis Alberto, and Gabriel Ponce, and several nephews, nieces, step-grand- children, grandnephews, and grandnieces. Annabelle was born into a family of twelve siblings in Cochabamba, Bolivia where she grew up and lived until graduating from Lady of Lourdes Canadian College. She first came to the US to study at University of Minnesota, St. Paul, and later studied at the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Spain. After returning to Bolivia, she founded and managed a successful residential real estate practice in La Paz. Annabelle and Alberto married in 1988 and moving to New York City; she developed a great passion for the Arts. She was Patron of the Metropolitan Opera House, and of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Advisory Council Member of the School of American Ballet, Board Member of Museo del Barrio, Benefactor of the Americas Society, Casita Maria Musicale, and Opera Hispanica, Supporter of Carnegie Hall, MOMA, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Museo Nacional of La Paz, and active Member of the Opera Club. In 1996 the Government of Bolivia appointed Annabelle the Cultural Attache to their Embassy in Washington, DC and their Mission at the UN. Annabelle was a member of the Colony Club, the Cosmopolitan Club, Doubles International Club, and the Meadow Club of Southampton. Annabelle and her husband Alberto resided in Manhattan, spending summers in Southampton, winters in Palm Beach, and frequently traveling in Europe, South America, and the Caribbean. Annabelle will always be remembered for her deep love for her family, friends, and life. She was a beautiful woman who touched everyone's heart with her warm smile, elegance, and generous heart, which advocated graciousness and good humor to those around her. She was a devoted catholic who leaves a legacy of great memories of life, love, and friendship. We will remember her forever.