Norma Toledano Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Norma Esther de la Candelaría Vergara Toledano, 86, passed away on August 4, 2021. Her parents Juana Correoso Vergara and Pedro Vergara were both from Santiago de Cuba, but later moved to Camaguey where Norma was born on February 2nd, 1935. She and her family immigrated to the United States with the help and sponsorship of her sister, Hilda Vergara Rey on May 24th 1968. She entered the country through Miami, Florida, but settled in New York City and lived out her final days in the Hudson Valley. Even before leaving Cuba Norma held down her home with a shrewd resourcefulness and creativity as her husband worked to enable their departure. After coming to this country Norma put her best foot forward to provide for her family and take care of her children. She worked as a homemaker, babysitter, piano instructor, and eventually packed snacks at Best Foods Old London where she retired. Norma endured it all to contribute to her home and put her daughters into and through the best schools. She was something like a Cuban Rosie the Riveter, always working for the greater good. Norma was known for “running a tight ship”, making sure her home didn’t just survive. Norma wanted her and everyone around her to thrive. In her spare time she took english learning courses to easily transition her and her children into this new realm. Always a sharp woman Norma made sure her children always had something to do after school, enrolling them in music and dance lessons to instill in them the same love for the arts she shared with her family back home. She had a lot on her mind and was never afraid to share it with anyone who would, and she thought should, listen. Akin to catchphrases Norma was known for saying “dios dice ayudate, y yo te ayudare”, or God helps those who first help themselves, and “todo tiene solucion menos la muerte”, or there is a solution to everything except death. She made sure the people she cared for were independent and able to solve any problems that came their way. Norma really wanted people to flourish. Norma was most notably a classically trained pianist who composed her own music and loved to sing until the end of her days. She also loved reading and took great delight in traveling. After her children had left the nest, she and her husband would travel across the country, from Virginia Beach to North Caroline, and even across the world, to Spain, Hawaii, and Canada. In her final days, unsurprisingly, Norma looked forward to her next trip to Cuba with her entire family. Norma refused to let herself be confined to any role or country, and spent her entire life amassing experiences in order to share with her family. It was these passions, coupled with the hardships she endured, that made her illuminate any room she was in. For all she coveted, Norma herself was a true experience. Norma leaves behind a family that dearly misses her. She is survived by her loving husband, Diosmedes Toledano, whom she wed on December 27th, 1959 and shared over 60 fulfilling years with. Norma also leaves behind her two daughters, Luisa Torres and Norayama Toledano-George, as well as a gaggle of loving grandchildren (Aisha Torres, Tiana Torres, Valerie Sanchez, Nicole Sanchez, Akil George, and Anwar George), and even great grandchildren, Nyomi Torres and the expectant Laila Torres. Her surviving extended family includes cousins Ariel and Myda Gonzalez and warm-hearted son-in-laws Dudley George and August Torres. A celebration of Norma’s life and legacy will be held on Friday, August 13, 2021, 4pm-7pm at Joseph A Lucchese Funeral Home, 726 Morris Park, Ave., Bronx, NY 10462.

Norma Toledano

February 2, 1935 - August 4, 2021