Elsa Batista

Mrs. Elsa Virginia Batista Cabrera (Mrs. B) died peacefully in her home on June 14, 2018 in Altamonte Springs, FL at the age of 75.
Elsa is survived by her husband Guillermo J. Batista; her children Daisy Batista Myers and her husband Keith Myers of Reno, NV; Guillermo Batista and his wife Amy Batista of Naperville, IL; her siblings Niove Jacobo of Indianapolis, IN; Yolanda Jacobo of Caracas Venezuela; Guillermina Cabrera of Rahway, NJ; grandchildren Morgan Myers, Alana Batista, and Grant Batista, and many nieces and nephews who loved her. She is preceded in death by her brother Angelo Cabrera of Los Angeles, CA.
Elsa was born on July, 27th 1942 in Bronx, NY to Niove and Angel Cabrera, both from Dominican Republic. Growing up she always wanted to be an accountant. Her father wanted her to be a beautician. Under the direction of her father she attended and completed beautician school in 1962. To satisfy her father she worked in that field for 6 months then took a job with the Federal Reserve Bank of NY; this job allowed her to work in the area that she desired. In her youth she was an avid traveler and loved to socialize. She would visit the Dominican Republic and Venezuela for vacations. On one of those trips she met her future husband Guillermo. Having met in the Dominican Republic they traveled the island on a small motorcycle, hiked trails, fed animals, discovered new beaches, and fell in love. She married Guillermo J. Batista, a Lynotype, on May 31st 1969 and settled in New York City. Over a period of 5 years, the couple welcomed two children into the world. She and Guillermo took Daisy the 1st born, along with their travels abroad through various countries. Daisy at 4 years of age would always ask for a little brother by saying "Yo quiero un ninito en especial". Soon after Daisy's request, her brother, Guillermo was born. In 1980, the family decided to move to Altamonte Springs, FL to move away from the hustle and bustle of NY. She retired from the Federal Reserve Bank of NY and took a job in food service for the Seminole County School System in order to be close to her children while at school. When she retired from her job in food service, she worked at a local preschool and the children loved her.
Her children remember her as an honest, direct, hardworking, compassionate, God loving, and a very giving mother who encouraged them to always pursue Jesus Christ.
Elsa was an accomplished word search and crossword puzzle enthusiast. She would often spend hours on the couch focused on the challenges at hand. Sometimes she would have stacks of word searches booklets with different themes (religious, plants, sports, animals etc.).
Elsa was known to have her back porch full of plants. Plants were kept trimmed and watered. The plants ranged in a sizes and shapes. No plant was given more attention than another. This love of plants was passed on to her daughter Daisy who has many plants and a large garden of her own.
She loved to go to shopping for beautiful clothes. She usually went with one of her best friends, Emma. Her favorite store was Dillard's. Her family would try to avoid going food shopping with her as for a number of years her kids named her the "coupon queen". She loved to cut coupons, especially with one of her best friends, Norma. She patiently would cut her coupons on a weekly basis, categorize them in sections and sort them by expiring date. All this while waiting for the right time to use each coupon. Elsa was the lady that everyone did not want to get stuck behind in the supermarket checkout line because you would be there waiting for every coupon to be scanned! This was all done in the name of providing for her family.
Elsa was generous with her time. She volunteered at her church as a Diaconisa, she was a volunteer during hurricane season at her local high school, and she traveled abroad on mission trips with her husband and good friend Lena.
After her full retirement Elsa and Guillermo traveled around the world learning about new cultures, trying new foods, and exploring famous landmarks. She filled her house with articles from each country that represented the various cultures. You could always find them riding in the AMM Motorcycle Ministry to different destinations. Elsa loved the beach and until 1 year before her death she and her family would walk the warm waters of New Smyrna beach.
Her faith in God is her legacy to her family and friends. Elsa accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior in 1969. She shared her faith with her sisters and family. Her beliefs were rooted in the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ. If you knew Elsa you knew she loved the Lord and lived for his purpose.
A funeral is scheduled for 6/18/2018, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Highland Funeral Home in Highland Memorial Gardens, with a reception to follow at her home. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Elsa's life. Condolences can be sent to Highland Funeral Home 3329 E. Semoran Blvd., Apopka, FL 32703.
The family would like to thank Dr. Lopez Bermudez for his care and dedication to Elsa and all of the many friends who have continued to be a blessing and support for our family.

Visitation

Highland Funeral Home
3329 E. Semoran Blvd.
Apopka, FL  32703
Monday, June 18, 2018
9:30am

Service

Highland Funeral Home
3329 E. Semoran Blvd.
Apopka, FL  32703
Monday, June 18, 2018
10am

Cemetery

Highland Memory Gardens
3329 E. Semoran Blvd.
Apopka, FL  32703