In Memory of Efigenia Elida Perez de Sanchez ~ “Effie”

Efigenia Elida Perez de Sanchez ~ September 21, 1935 - July 29, 2007

I haven’t posted on this site regularly since May due to my mother’s illness.  She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in September 2006, and did everything possible to defeat this disease. Extensive surgery, chemotherapy, vitamins, anything she was told could help, she did.  She seemed to be in remission after her last chemo treatment on January 31, 2007.  Unfortunately, the disease returned by May, even more aggressively than before.  Despite her inner strength and determination, it is with great sadness that I share that she died on July 29, 2007. 

My mother, whom I affectionately dubbed “Effie”, was a true force of nature.  Opinionated, intelligent, hard-working and full of ambition, she has always been an inspiration to me.  She was a born businesswoman!  She owned a boutique in Connecticut where she designed many of the fashions.  After our move to Florida, she and my father invested in real estate.  This led her to launch a successful real estate career which was sidelined a few years ago due to many health problems.  But she kept a few loyal clients from around the country and the Caribbean who solicited her advice and hired her to manage their properties.

She sparked my desire for my own business and always encouraged me to reach for my dreams.  During her illness, I took time off to care for her and she felt very guilty about it.  I kept telling her that I was blessed with the ability to be able to do this for her and that I was not abandoning my business.  I had to postpone my participation in a marketing certification program and I was rescheduled to attend this September.  She made me promise that I would go no matter what.  We were, of course, hoping and expecting that she’d still be with us.  Plans were being made for her care during my trip but I was still apprehensive about being away for 5 days.  She wouldn’t take no for an answer. She wanted me to succeed, better myself and continue learning.  She always wanted the very best for her daughters and grandchildren and this is the legacy she has left us.

There is no one who met her who wasn’t struck by her strength, generosity, intelligence and humor.  I can only pray that I can make her as proud of me as I have always been of her.

I love you Mami!