Obituary of Eufemia Orffa Saucedo

Eufemia Orffa Saucedo Paz, passed away at the age of 87 years old on May 5, 2023 in New York, USA. She was born on March 20, 1936 in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. In 1954, she graduated from Colegio Alemán with her high school degree, and afterwards, obtained her Bachelor’s Degree from Instituto Superior de Bellas Artes. Upon graduating, Eufemia taught for 25 years at Colegio Santa Teresita Fe Y Alegría, where, amongst her pupils, were her own daughters. Later on, in 1994, she would immigrate to the United States with her daughters, their husbands, and her grandchildren, where she would live the rest of her life. A life in which, through the deep connection she maintained with her family, brought her immense happiness. Being officially retired at this stage in her life, she dedicated herself to raising her grandchildren while she supported her daughters. As the head of the family, she was a great light, a source of support and strength that everyone could always rely on. Her wisdom, her unmatched love, and her endless positive spirit will continue to shine throughout, within the hearts of her family, and all else she had an impact on. She is survived by 3 daughters and 5 grandchildren, all of which loved her very dearly, and will remember her legacy forever.

(Spanish)

Eufemia Orffa Saucedo Paz, falleció el 5 de Mayo, 2023 en Nueva York, E.E.U.U. a los 87 años. Ella nació el 20 de Marzo, 1936 en Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. En 1954, se graduó del Colegio Alemán, y después consiguió su título del Instituto Superior de Bellas Artes. Después de graduarse, Eufemia ejerció como profesora por 25 años en el Colegio Santa Teresita Fe Y Alegría, donde, entre sus alumnos, asistían sus propias hijas. Luego, en el 1994, emigró a los E.E.U.U.  con sus hijas, los esposos, y sus nietos, dónde desarrolló una vida feliz a través de estos lazos familiares. Siendo jubilada, se dedicó a la crianza de sus nietos mientras que apoyaba a sus hijas. Como cabeza de la familia, fue una gran luz, una fuente de apoyo y fortaleza en la que todos siempre podían confiar. Su sabiduría, su amor inigualable, y su constante positividad seguirá alumbrando en los corazones de su familia. Fue una gran luchadora hasta sus últimos momentos. Deja  3 hijas y 5 nietos, y todos la amaban, y la amarán por siempre.

EULOGY

Mi Mama Orffa fue una luz en mi vida. Una mujer repleta de sabiduría, conocimientos, amor, y pureza. Para mi, nadie igualará su grandeza… nadie llegará a su nivel de humildad y consideración. La amaré y la admiraré por siempre. Mi querida Mama Orffa, mi dulce cambita, mi flor de Santa Cruz, no pasa ningún día en que no le extraño! Su Peyico Yogo enseñará a sus futuros hijos las lecciones que usted le enseñó. Les contaré de la hermosura de persona que fue usted. Que deben anhelar tener la moralidad que tuvo usted. Mama Orffa, indudablemente, fue una segunda mamá para mi. Desde niñingo me adulaba y me consentía. Su perdida ha sido debilitante y abrumadora. Pero yo agradezco a Dios por protegerla y por darle una vida espectacular. Gracias  Dios por bendecirme con una abuela tan perfecta. Y a usted Mama Orffa, gracias por todingas sus enseñanzas y amor! Le quiero un montón. Ya nos veremos otra vez un día…. en un lugar mejor. Su cambita, su velatacú, su Peyico Yogo, Mark Anthony. 

It’s rare to have a phenomenal teacher, supportive best friend, and loving grandmother in your life. I was fortunate enough to have all of that in one person. 

My grandmother loved music, singing, dancing, drawing, and every form of art the world could offer. I’m inclined to believe I inherited all of this from her. Her smile was sunshine, with her laugh being a symphony to my ears. 

Thank you Mama Orffa for the endless lessons and adventures you’ve given and had with me. I will always think of you when I look at flowers, or when I feel the warmth of the sun on my skin. 

May you continue to guide me and protect me in all I do. Te amo mi compañera, para siempre. 

Con mucho amor: Nicole

The very first memory I have with Mama Orffa is her teaching me how to write my name. We were sitting next to each other at the end of the bed with a little notebook on top of her dresser. She would show me how to write my full name and would erase it if it didn’t come out perfect. I never understood why that’s the first memory I have of her but now, it’s one of the most important and cherished memory. She was a valued and celebrated teacher back in Bolivia where she taught her family members and many other children. We shared that in common and it was a topic she loved to speak to me about. Every time I would hear those stories, I was reminded how alike we were even though she would say I looked more like a Sansuste than a Menacho. More than anything, I would love to hear those stories again. For now, I’m content in knowing that every time I write my name or I sit next to my student and erase something they wrote wrong, I have a piece of her with me. And for that, I’m eternally grateful for that memory and for her.  Mama Orffa inspired my creativity. It started with coloring books and then led to all different kinds of art - sketching, calligraphy, sewing, painting. She always encouraged me to express myself through art and for that I’m so grateful. She was my biggest fan and my biggest inspiration and impacted my life in so many ways. I will always cherish the memories I shared with her and will always think about her every time I put a pencil to paper. She will never stop being my inspiration.

With love, Paulita

Mama Orffa inspired my creativity. It started with coloring books and then let to all different kind of art, sketching, calligraphy, sewing, painting. She always encourage me to express myself through art and for that I’m so grateful. She was my biggest fan and my biggest inspiration and impacted my life in so many ways. I’ll always cherish the memories I share with her and will always think about her every time I put a pencil to paper. She will never stop being my inspiration. With love, Mairita.

My dearest mom,

Hace dos semanas mi mundo perdio sus colores y la luz que alumbraba mi diario vivir.

Hace dos semanas que te busco incansablemente  sin poderte encontrar.

Hoy al final comprendí que cambiaste de residencia y que te mudaste a vivir en mi corazón donde vivirás eternamente siempre junto a mi. Seguirás viviendo en cada enseñanza que aprendí de ti, en cada consejo que me diste, en cada gesto de amor que recibí. Y vivire pegada a tus recuerdos para asegurarme que jamás te vayas del todo. Te amare hasta la eternidad. Tu hija Evelyn

Mamacita querida,

Qué difíciles serán los próximos días…años…fechas especiales y acontecimientos, sin su dulce presencia; pero me reconforta pensar que un día nos volveremos a reunir todos con Ud. y el gozo será mayor! Mientras ése día llegue, mamacita, quiero decirle que será un honor seguir su ejemplo, será un orgullo poner en práctica todo lo que nos enseñó, será una alegría recordar su hermosa sonrisa y será la felicidad más grande recordar su infinito amor!

Ahora Ud. descansa en paz, mamita querida, durmiendo el sueño de los justos, de los pacientes, de los humildes de corazón, y los de alma pura, ahora Ud. está en el mejor lugar del Cielo, al lado de Dios. 

La quiero mucho, mucho, y la voy a querer siempre, mamita querida…siempre! 

Con todo mi amor, 

Su hija: Selly ❤️

Dear Mama Orffa,

You were not only a second mother to me but most importantly you were the source of love and joy that guided me into the person I am today. You brought laughter, you brought passion, you brought moments that will forever be engraved in the memories of not only myself but countless of people who had the pleasure to have known you or had met you. Your stories will forever continue to exist and will be passed down with the same enthusiasm that you had when you recounted them to us. I count myself lucky to be able to say I was a recipient of all you had to offer, of all the affection, of all the love you had to give. I loved every single moment with you grandma, I loved every single time we talked and every single time we shared precious life moments. I will never forget all your life lessons, I will never forget your excitement for traveling and discovering, I will never forget the love that you gave, but most of all I will never forget you.

Love you always – Jose Cayito