ARGUELLES, Abdelia "Adella" Age 94, born and raised in Tampa, passed away Monday, June 1, 2009. She is preceded in death by her husband, Marcelino Sr. and her son, Marcelino Jr.; brothers, Raleigh and Frank Suarez and her sister, Mary Baldwin. She is survived by her brother, Raymond Suarez, and her nieces and nephews. Adella graduated from Hillsborough High School and attended Florida State College for Women (now Florida State University). She was self-employed from 1941-1954 as a physiotherapist and master cosmetologist before entering the real estate field. Between 1954 and 1984, she was involved in the real estate field. She was the President of the Jose Suarez & Sons Real Estate Co. and Executive Vice President of Suarez Brothers Construction Co. With Suarez Brothers, she also served as Sales Manager, Interior Decorator and Public Relations Director for the company. During her real estate career, she was twice awarded a diamond pin by the National Home Builder's Association, leading the state in sales of new homes for 1968 and 1969. Her most cherished award was from the America Home Magazine for her first home designed and decorated, which received the citation "The Best Home for the Money" (1958). She won a coveted award from the National Association of Real Estate Boards for her article on "Best Selling Procedures" at which time she was their guest speaker at their National Convention in Chicago, May 1971. She was listed in "Who's Who of Business and Professional Men and Women of the South and Southwest" (1965 & 1966); "Who's Who of American Women" (1966 1967) and "Florida Lives of the Sunshine State Who's Who" (1966). She was president of the Tampa Cosmetologist Association, Secretary for the Florida Cosmetologist Association, Editor of "The Short Wave" for the Cosmetologist Association, President and Charter Member of the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Tampa, President and Charter Member of the Tampa Bay Chapter of American Business Women Association (ABWA) and served on many committees for the Association. She compiled and published two editions of ABWA's own cook book, "The Goumet's Delight," which proved very successful for the organization. She was elected President of the Pilot Club of Ybor City five times and served on the Board of the Parkland Condominium Association. She was awarded "Woman of the Year" by ABWA (1960 1961) and the Pilot Club of Ybor City (1967 1968). In 1968, the Suncoast Chapter of ABWA selected her as on of the "Ten Best Dressed Career Women in Tampa." She represented the best of her culture and community when she was honored at the Celebration of "The Hispanic Woman" in 1987. Her motto was "Each of us has a natural talent, whether it be in the fine arts, business or in the art of homemaking. We all have some special ability that distinguishes us as individuals. When we use this special talent to help other people, we are giving something of ourselves." Adella never knew the meaning of the word "no." She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. A graveside service will be held at Centro Asturiano Memorial Park, located at 5400 E. Martin Luther King, on Friday, June 5, 2009, at 10 am. Pallbearers will be Jack Suarez, Robert Suarez, Scott Suarez, Casey Hernandez, Robert Fernandez and James Baldwin. Honorary pallbearers are Raymond Suarez, Frank Vacanti, Bob Durgen, Barry Pitts and Scott Johnson and very special friends, Elva Garcia, Daniel and Blanche de la Cruz, Rose Silva, Dorinda Rodriguez, Anna Noya, Carolyn Duke, Rossi Ramos, Catherine Gillen, Mattie White, Mary Mortellaro, Carmela Bacarella, Mark Cowherd, Cecelia and the rest of the Demetree Family. Floral arrangements will be accepted or donations can be made in Adella's name to Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), P.O. Box 273136 Tampa, Florida 33688-3136.


Published in the St. Petersburg Times on 6/5/2009