Emma Pavon

By the Grace of God, Emma Esther Pavon (91 yrs.), passed through the gates of heaven into the waiting arms of her beloved husband, Dr. Sixto J. Pavon on January 28, 2022. She was born to Jose Aguilar and Loreta Rodriguez on January 14, 1931, in Camagüey, Cuba. Emma and Sixto married in Cuba in 1949. They built a beautiful life in Cuba until it was taken over by the Communist Party. In July 1968, they chose to emigrate to the United States to seek a better life for their young family. They courageously sacrificed all they had built and all personal belongings but for a couple photographs and three outfits per person as they made the journey to begin a new life in America. The family ultimately made their way to Chicago, Illinois where they resided until 1974 and moved to Des Moines, Iowa. Emma and Sixto had three children: Maria Consuelo, Maria de los Angeles, and Sixto Jose, Jr. Emma had a beautiful voice and loved to sing, listen to music, and dance. She was a phenomenal cook and taught her children and grandchildren the secrets to delicious authentic Cuban cooking. Till this day she made the best flan. She was always “dressed to the nines” and never left home without her heels and lipstick. She loved her jewelry and hats and took her fashion seriously until her last days. She leaves behind cherished memories for her family of a houseful of beautiful music, boisterous laughing and storytelling, and wonderful aromas of Cuban food. She will also be greatly missed by extended family in Miami and Cuba. She was the Matriarch of this beautiful Cuban family she and her beloved husband created. She held strong until her last breath. She was tenacious and feisty and had a kind loving soul – all of which lives on in her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She will be greatly missed and her legacy will live on and nurtured by her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, her grandson Sixto Jose Pavon III, and son-in-law Felix Suarez. She is survived by her three children: Maria C. Suarez, Maria (Michael) Hernandez, Sixto (Rochelle) Pavon Jr.; grandchildren: Felix Suarez, Sandra (Curt) Suarez Kruger, Tanya (Brian) Suarez Tigner, Joe Archer, Alicia (Cris) Hernandez, Danielle (Elliott) Lovig and Bradley Pavon; and ten great grandchildren. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, from 12:30-1:30 with a funeral service to follow at 1:30 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory. A burial will follow at Glendale Cemetery.