Mayda Vera
Obituary

Mayda Venancia Vera, born on May 18, 1945, in Havana, Cuba, peacefully passed away at 9:30 p.m. on January 6, 2026, in Laguna Niguel, California, after a courageous journey with Alzheimer’s disease. She leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, service, and unwavering devotion to her family.

Mayda was a loving wife to her husband, Jorge; a devoted mother to her daughters, Suzie and Ann; a cherished mother-in-law to Gianni and Dominic; and a proud and adoring grandmother to her beloved grandsons, Ben and Zachary, who were truly the light of her life.

Mayda and Jorge were high school sweethearts who met at Miami High School. After surviving a serious accident, they received a small settlement, which they used to purchase their first home in Miami, Florida. Mayda lived there with her parents until their wedding day —an early testament to their resilience, determination, and shared commitment to building a life together. On April 3, 1965, they were married in a small and intimate ceremony and went on to share 60 wonderful years of marriage.

Prior to their first-year wedding anniversary, Mayda and Jorge moved to Gardena, California, where they began raising their family and welcomed their two daughters. Following a visit to Huntington Beach, California, they knew they had found the place where they wanted to raise their family. There, they lived for 20 years, raising their daughters and creating a lifetime of cherished memories. Just prior to Mayda’s retirement, the couple moved to Aliso Viejo, California, to be closer to their beloved grandsons where they remained for 22 years.

Fun-loving, adventurous, and endlessly curious, Mayda embraced life with enthusiasm and joy. She loved to travel, dance, meet new people, and try new things, always eager to learn and grow. Whether she was mastering a new skill, exploring a new place, or striking up a conversation with someone new, Mayda brought warmth, humor, and authenticity wherever she went. She believed in staying busy, staying curious, and staying connected.

Mayda’s career reflected both her drive and her deep compassion for others. She wore many hats throughout her life, working as a Dental Assistant in Miami, a Librarian and later a Research Assistant at USC, and eventually as a Teacher who was promoted to School Counselor at the Coastline Regional Occupational Program. When her daughter Ann was diagnosed with epilepsy, Mayda made the selfless decision to leave her position at USC to be closer to home in Huntington Beach, putting family first—as she always did.

Aside from her family, education was one of Mayda’s proudest achievements. She earned her bachelor’s degree Vocational Education while raising a family, working full time, and tirelessly supporting her daughters’ extracurricular activities—always present and always supportive. Just five credits short of completing her master’s degree, Mayda chose to retire so she could devote more time to what brought her the greatest joy: her grandsons, Ben and Zachary. To them, she was not just Grandma, but a constant source of love, encouragement, and unforgettable memories.

Giving back was central to who Mayda was. After the passing of her beloved mother, Leda, Mayda became an advocate and speaker for the Alzheimer’s Association, using her voice to educate, support, and comfort others walking a similar path. She also volunteered her time to request monetary donations on behalf of Wells of Life, an organization dedicated to building wells in villages throughout Africa. In addition, she volunteered with Working Wardrobes, helping individuals prepare for job interviews, and continued her service as a Teacher at Estancia High School and a School Counselor at C.R.O.P., always seeking ways to uplift and empower those around her.

Mayda will be remembered for her generous heart, her infectious spirit, her kindness, and her famous laugh. She lived with purpose, led with compassion, and loved without limits. As she would often say, “Que me quiten lo bailao,” loosely translated as, “They can’t take away what I’ve already danced.”

Though she will be deeply missed, Mayda’s joy, strength, and legacy live on in the hearts of her husband, her children, her grandchildren, and all who were fortunate enough to know and love her.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of Mayda Vera.