NELIDA COBO

Nelida Cobo died on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012, surrounded by her children and families. She was affectionately called "Lela" for the past 33 years by all who knew and loved her. This name was given to her by her first grandchild, Zachary, created by him trying to pronounce abuela when he first was learning to talk.

An angel was born yesterday and forever will live in our hearts and be a beacon of guidance to all who shared a moment with this very special creation of God. We will always remember her. We will always love her. We will always think of her as we each proceed through our lives. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren will always know the special gift of having Lela in their lives as well as in having her as our mother.

Lela was born in Havana, Cuba, on May 25, 1924, the daughter of Luis and Nelida Quiros. Upon one of her visits to Key West as a teenager, she was introduced to her soon to be husband, Lionel Cobo, by her aunt, who also was his godmother. After finishing his tour of duty in the Army and graduating from the University of Florida, College of Pharmacy, they were married in Havana on May 29, 1948, and began their future in Key West, where they raised a family of four loving children along with the rest of the Cobo families born of Ignacio and Amparo Cobo at 1107 Duval St.

Her background in business provided the perfect complement for the creation of Cobo Pharmacy in 1954 in which she ran the business and retail aspects of the pharmacy as well as raising their four children at home while her husband, Lionel, developed a successful pharmacy practice that served the Key West community for 46 years.

Lela always used her faith and love to provide an example in life to all who knew her. Her smile always radiated and was personal to all she shared it with and all who loved her. Her uniqueness as a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother will always be cherished and remembered by the very special family she has left behind.

Lela was a member of The Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea and Catholic Daughters of America.

Lela is survived by sons Luis E. (Ana) Cobo, Ignacio (Karen) Cobo; daughter, Mary (Zachary) Bentley; grandchildren, James Cobo, Nora Cobo, Jessica (Jason) Barroso, Lisette Cobo, Rebecca Cobo, Zachary Bentley, Nicholas Bentley, Rachel Cobo, Luis I. Cobo; great-grandchildren, Daniella Barroso, Max Barroso, Emma Rodriguez; sister-in-law, Oria Quiros; niece, Magdalena Quiros. She was preceded in death by her parents, Luis and Nelida Quiros; husband, Lionel Cobo; son Michael Cobo; brother Luis Quiros; nephew, Luis Quiros.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 17, 2012, at the Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., with a rosary at 7:30 p.m., on Sunday, Sept. 16, at the Dean-Lopez Funeral Home.

The Dean-Lopez Funeral Home is entrusted with all funeral arrangements.