It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ada Santa Martinez, a beloved mother, devoted wife, grandmother and cherished friend who passed away peacefully on Friday, February 28, 2025, at the age of 88. She is now reunited with her beloved husband, Osmart Rolando Martinez who she deeply missed since his passing in 2004. Born in 1936 in Havana, Cuba, to Fermina Blanco and Jose Blanco Toyo, Ada came to the US in the 1967 Freedom Flights. She was a strong and hard-working woman who devoted her life to family and friends. Ada was not one to blend in and was always the life of the party— whether bursting into song with enchanting Cuban classical rhythms, dancing or appearing on social media posts at her senior center; she had a gift of making people laugh and is always remembered with bring joy to others. She learned to drive later in life and this newfound freedom made it difficult to track her at times since she’d go on little driving expeditions. She was a woman of faith and an animal lover. She loved her Cafecito Cubano, pastelitos (guava of course) and a good hand of dominos. Ada is survived by her loving daughter and son-in-law Grizzel & Oswaldo Gonzalez; her son and daughter-in-law Roland & Gretchen Martinez; her adored grandchildren Ozzie Gonzalez, Barbara Manbodh, Nicole Gonzalez, Anthony Gonzalez, Marissa Bloom, Christian Martinez, Angelina Martinez and Zachary Smith; and her treasured great-grandchildren Lilly Gonzalez, Lisa Gonzalez, Abigail Manbodh, and Ethan Manbodh. She also leaves behind friends and loved ones from the South Miami Plaza Senior Center, Senior Center Adult Day Care and St. Dominics Catholic Church communities, all of which were touched by her vibrant and joyous spirit. Although we will miss her, we find comfort in the love Ada shared with us all! Her kindness, laughter and unwavering faith filled spirit will forever echo in our hearts. As we say goodbye, we do so with gratitude for grace God bestowed on our family through her. We will forever cherish the good times we had and a love that never fades. Rest peacefully, dear Ada, until we meet again.