Raquel’s life began on Sept. 16, 1913, in Niquero, Cuba, in the Oriente Province, the daughter of Jose and Manuela (Perez) Llanio.

She was united in marriage to Justo R. de Varona, M.D., on Feb. 5, 1943, in Camaguey, Cuba. Together, they immigrated to Miami in 1961.

Raquel worked for a very short time in a factory in Miami when they first came to the United States, but spent the majority of her life as a loving wife and devoted mother.
She was an active member of the Lioness Club in Camaguey, Cuba, prior to coming to America.

She was active in Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church in Dowagiac and was most recently a parishioner at Saint John/St. Bernard Parish in Benton Harbor.

Her greatest joy was her family, which includes: daughters Raquel (Alfred) Lazaga and Consuelo (David) Sink, both of Dowagiac; sons Ray de Varona of Lansing and Jorge de Varona and Eduardo (Rhonda) de Varona, both of Dowagiac; grandchildren, Rachel (William) Krumenauer of Cedarburg, Wis., Deborah (Brian) Marx of Milwaukee, Wis., Scott (Jami) de Varona of Lansing, Richard de Varona of Atlanta, Ga., Bryan (Rebecca) de Varona of Granger, Ind., Daniel ( Victoria) de Varona of Rochester Hills, Jeffrey (Mistel) de Varona of Dowagiac, Mark (Miranda) de Varona of Dowagiac, Anthony Sink of Chicago and Alicia Sink of Grand Rapids; great-grandchildren, Katie and Ryan Krumenauer and Megan, Justin, Jacob, Anna, Olivia, Nathan and Riley de Varona.
Raquel, 96, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Justo de Varona, M.D., and 11 siblings.
Her family will gather with friends on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Yazel and Clark Chapel, where Deacon Al Lazaga will lead a scriptural rosary service at 7:30 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Sister Lakes, led by Father Bill Jacobs.

She will be laid to rest in Mission Hills Cemetery, Niles.

Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Raquel at www.yazel-clark.com.