Leonila Santana Garrido

Leonila “Lila” Santana Garrido, 94, died at her home, peacefully in her sleep on Friday, July 19, 2024. 

She leaves behind her sons, Juan Garrido, Jr and his wife Robin; Antonio Garrido and his wife Rebbecca “Becky” and daughter, Ana “Ani” Luisa Garrido along with many nephews and nieces.

Lila, as she is fondly remembered, was born on January 17, 1930, to the late Antonio Santana-Lopez and Luisa Perez-Diaz. Lila grew up in a poor household with five loving and caring siblings and no shortage of love. 

In 1958, she met her future husband, Juan Garrido and a year later on August 2, 1959 they married. Later that year history struck the paradise island of Cuba when Fidel Castro came to power. The following year they welcomed their first child, Juan, Jr. followed by Antonio the following year. Discovering that Castro was turning the beautiful island into a communist state Lila & Juan, being anti-communists, sought to leave Cuba. Leaving everything behind and seeking a new and better life for their young family they arrived in the United States on October 20, 1962 on what was to be the second to last flight out of Cuba before Castro closed the borders. 

So with no understanding of the language, with only the clothes on their backs and praying they will find a way to care for their young children they settled in Miami. Two months later Lila and Juan moved the family to Charlotte when a friend from Cuba assisted them with finding jobs in manufacturing; a profession that both would work in for a majority of their lives. The following year, in 1963, they welcomed their only daughter, Ana Luisa.

Lila always had a passion for news so as she gained a better understanding of English she used this understanding to watch the evening news and read the morning newspaper. She always said she wanted to know what was happening, locally and around the world. Then in April 1970, she gained her citizenship. She just loved this country so much that in 1996 when the Olympic torch came through Charlotte for the Atlanta Olympics she was yelling the loudest, “USA! USA!”

Over the years Lila worked in many manufacturing positions and finally found a passion as a seamstress; working in the manufacturing of curtains. This skill and her passion for decorating led her to create a home business making curtains for family, friends and friends of friends. You know what they say, “it’s not work if it’s something you love;” well these passions were with her to her last days.

When she wasn’t busy decorating, making curtains or chair upholsteries she organized “get-togethers” with friends where they would meet at each other’s home, eat, laugh and spend the afternoon enjoying each other’s company and playing Bingo. 

Lila was a true loving person that never had a mean word to say about anyone not even the poor insects that came into the home. She thought every creature on earth was precious and that’s why every night’s prayer she prayed for the sick, the children and people of the world. She will truly be missed but don’t be sad, she wouldn’t want that. She always said she lived a great life and raised wonderful children who brought her wonderful daughters in-law and now she will again see her loving husband, mother, father and all her family. 

She would be upset if we failed to mention her volunteer work with the Sisters of Mother Teresa. Something she truly enjoyed and also afforded her the opportunity to see Mother Teresa and later Pope John Paul II when he visited Columbia, SC in September 1987. GOD Bless her and thank you for your many sacrifices. 

Harrisburg Funeral & Cremation is serving the Garrido family. Online condolences may be made at www.HarrisburgFC.com.