Obituary for Miss ANA MARIA MONTE FLORES

Ana María Monte Flores, born on October 3, 1949, in La Habana, Cuba, gracefully
completed her journey on January 11, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. She was born
into a loving family, and was filled with endless curiosity, and a passion for learning.
The book most read on her childhood nightstand was her “Pequeño Larousse”
dictionary.
Her life took a drastic turn, when in 1959, the communist regime forced her to leave her
beloved home in La Habana with her parents and sister. The experiences of a political
exile shaped the resiliency she showed throughout life. The Monte family laid roots in
Shenandoah, within walking distance of her elementary school of Sts. Peter and Paul,
where she helped the nuns organize the school’s first library. Although she started high
school at Inmaculada-LaSalle, her rebellious nature (and permissive parents) led her to
graduate from Gables High, where she was named Best Dressed by her peers. It is in
these formative years where she met her lifelong friends, with whom she kept in touch
until her soul was called.
After graduating from Miami Dade College, and earning her bachelor’s degree in Social
Work from Florida International University’s very first graduating class, she embarked on
a lifelong journey of service to her community and others. She opened the very first
senior center in Miami-Dade County at Little Havana Activities Center. Almost 40 years
later, Little Havana Activities Center opened its 15th center in the county, and dedicated
it to Ana María’s mother, naming it the Violeta Dueñas Monte Senior Center.
In the mid-1980s, she found her passion working with cancer patients at La Liga Contra
el Cáncer. There she offered solace to those suffering the physical and emotional pains
of all forms of cancer. As her life came full circle, and after successfully beating cancer
of her own, she returned to La Liga at the end of her career to provide needed social
work services to their many patients. Patients became her friends, and vice versa. She
was a trusted confidante to those in need.
Her accomplishments are too many to list, and South Florida is a better place because
Ana María was a member of this community: She inaugurated the South Dade YMCA,
providing free after school and summer programming to hundreds of youth. She
opened the local offices of Volunteers of America, which continue to run the four
low-income senior housing facilities, and two permanent supportive housing buildings
for the formerly homeless which Ana María founded and funded. She opened the first
senior center for the City of Sweetwater, serving healthy meals to hundreds of seniors
daily. She established the county’s phonebook recycling program. She helped write
Florida’s first anti-litter law.
She was selected to study and earn a certificate from the Kennedy School in Harvard,
and was part of the prestigious National Hispana Leadership Institute. She established
the county’s first Adopt-A-Road program. She even created the character of Captain
Tidy for Pulitzer Prize winning columnist Dave Barry, who described her in the Miami
Herald as “a funny, charming, warm and caring woman who, if she saw you drop a gum
wrapper, would rip out your trachea.”
During her time at both the South Florida Management District, and Miami Dade Water
and Sewer department, she combined her gift for public speaking with her dedication to
environmental preservation as the spokesperson for these agencies for over 15 years.
The showerhead exchange program that she started for the County saves millions of
gallons of water annually. She taught school children the value of conserving water,
and the importance of protecting the Everglades. She stood alongside mayors from
Sweetwater to Hialeah reassuring the public during times of flood, and informing our
community about water quality and conservation.
Beyond all her professional achievements, Ana María’s life was characterized by a
strong commitment to her children, her “tres pollitos”. As a mother rearing 3 children on
her own, she worked tirelessly to ensure there was always a stable home, and
abundant food on the table. She worked long hours to make sure her kids never
missed an opportunity. She is survived by her children: Anitere (married to Dustin
Anderson, their children Máximo and Lucas), Juan Ignacio, and Mariola (married to
Harold Sabillón, their children Mateo and Tomás); her sister María Elena “Marilys”
Monte (married to Raúl Guerrero, their children Sofía, Ricardo, Alejandra, Victoria, and
Felipe).
Ana María’s vibrant spirit transcended her accomplishments. Her presence illuminated
every room, and her demeanor demanded attention as she would shower all those
around her with “pearls of wisdom” from her lifetime of rich experiences. Though her
physical presence may be gone, her legacy of love and enthusiasm will endure forever.
Ana María, Tatá, Mami, Tía, Buela, Monte – a soul cherished for eternity.
Join us in praying for her at a heartfelt service at St. Agatha’s Catholic Church in Miami,
Florida on January 22, 2024, at 11 AM. Afterwards, join the family at Our Lady of Mercy
Catholic Cemetery at 1:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the
Benedictine Monks, makers of Trappist Caskets, at the following address: New Melleray
Abbey, 16632 Monastery Road, Peosta, IA 52068.