Margarita Maria Alvarez

Margarita Maria (Maggie) Alvarez-Dorta Duque was born November 9, 1924 in Havana, Cuba to two wonderful people, the late Dr. Manuel and Carmen Dorta-Duque. She was the third of seven children. Her father was a well-known and well respected lawyer, law professor and legislator. He was a co-author of the 1944 Cuban Constitution. He was a generous, religious, moral and very intelligent man. Maggie was educated at The Ursuline Academy and then proceeded to attain her bachelorÕs degree and Doctorate in Law degree from The University of Havana. She was able to practice law for several years while living in Cuba. She met her future husband Dr. Ulises C. Alvarez at a Knights of Columbus picnic and after 3 years of courting they were married on December 9th, 1951. She loved her husband very much and they were married for 62 years! While still in Cuba, Maggie and Ulises had three children; Helena (who preceded her in death), Ulises and Juan. Soon after the Cuban Revolution they realized that the government was going to change towards communism so they left and immigrated to the United States in June of 1960. They moved to Belleville, Illinois where Dr. Alvarez had a job opportunity. Maggie could not practice law in this country so she became a Spanish teacher at The Academy of Notre Dame in Belleville and the Ursuline Academy in East St. Louis for several years. She was loved by her students and she tutored anyone who needed help. She was one of the firsr husband and children, her community and her courage to embrace the challenges throughout her life, will always be remembered by her family. She will be missed but we are comforted knowing that she is no longer suffering and will be praying for us in Heaven. Margarita Maria Alvarez, 89 of Florissant. Preceded in death by Parents Manuel and Carmen (Ortiz) Dorta-Duque and Daughter Helena M. Alvarez, Siblings Carmen Cano, Manuel Dorta-Duque, and Father Francisco Dorta-Duque. Left with cherished memories are her husband Dr. Ulises Alvarez, Sons Ulises M. Alvarez and Dr. Juan (Patti) Alvarez. Grandchildren Ana Alvarez, Cristina (Jon) Broska, Francisco (Natalie) Alvarez, Elena (Travis) Shively, Maria Alvarez, Johnny Alvarez, Great Grandchildren Caitlin Broska and Nora Grace Shively, Siblings Father Juan Dorta-Duque, Jorge Dorta-Duque and Maria Elena Fernandez de Cossio. In lieu of flowers please give memorials to The Maria Przada Leap of Faith Fund at Incarnate Word Acdemy. 2788 Normandy Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63121.

Margarita Maria Alvarez

November 9, 1924 - October 11, 2014