Maria Teresa Baum

With a heavy heart, our family announces the passing of our beloved mother, Maria Teresa Baum, on January 16, 2021. She suffered a stroke on Christmas day and due to complications, was not able to recover. She was at home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born, Maria Teresa Carcaña y Cruz, on June 9th, 1924 in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico to Olivia Cruz Pumarejo and Ines Galvan Carcaña.

Teresa would have a wonderful childhood in her beloved “Isla Bonita” Puerto Rico. Then in the blink of an eye, her childhood was forever changed after the sudden death of her beloved Father, Ines. Teresa was a strong woman but did face many challenges in her life, first with the untimely death of her young daughter Anna (Annie) and then when she made the difficult decision to leave her three daughters, Nora, Lydia, and Delia in the care of her mother while she found work as a seamstress in Brooklyn, New York. Initially, she was able to make enough to bring Lydia to Brooklyn, and after many more years of hard work she was able to reunite all three of her daughters.

Forever a hard worker, Teresa was blessed to find love again with a wonderful man, Jay Edwin Baum. He treated all her daughters as his own and to them, he was never a stepfather but “dad”. They married in 1964 and celebrated 49 years before Jay’s passing in 2013. They built a wonderful life together on Freeport, Long Island and together welcomed a daughter, Debra.

Terry & Jay (as they were affectionately called by all) enjoyed many good years of boating on the weekends, road trips and tons of family barbecues. Their home was always a welcoming place to visit for friends and family and something delicious was always warming on the stove for any guest who might pop in. They were also blessed to care for and help raise two of their grandchildren, George and Jessica in their home until Jay’s retirement in 1997.

After retirement, they moved back to Puerto Rico and built their dream home in Aguadilla. The memories and laughter continued for many more years as they were surrounded by the friends and family still on the island and frequent visitors from New York, Florida and California. In 2011, they made the decision to spend their golden years with their youngest daughter in Punta Gorda, Florida. After becoming a widow in 2013, Teresa continued to live with her loving daughter and family until the Good Lord called her home.
Teresa was a woman who spoke her mind using her rich “Puerto Rican” Spanish. She had hundreds of witty sayings and it would be anyone’s guess as to what she would say next. Yet, whatever it was, you would be guaranteed to laugh. A woman who was wickedly funny, resilient, strong within her faith and deeply loved her family. She treated all her nieces and nephews as her own and has missed her siblings for far too long.

Over the years, she used her amazing skill to sew many things for many people. She welcomed many animals into her home and spoiled them rotten. She could make broken look beautiful and strong look invincible – a free spirit who lived her life her way and to the fullest. Teresa was the matriarch of our family and as hard as we try; her shoes will never be filled. The world was a better place the 96 years that she blessed us with her stories, jokes and lessons. Teresa will be greatly missed, Boricua pa que tu lo sepas.

Wepa to a life well lived!

Children:
Delia Luz Tucker, husband Gordon Tucker of Fort Mohave, Arizona
Debra Elizabeth Baum-Giamanco, husband John Giamanco of Punta Gorda, Florida

Grandchildren:
Jeffrey Ortiz
Theresa Colon
Daniel Ortiz
George McKirdy
Jessica Mateo
Jason Tucker
John Giamanco
Matthew Giamanco

Great-Grandchildren:
Cole Ortiz
Jake Ortiz
Sophia Colon
James Colon
Rommel Mateo, Jr.
Madelyn Mateo
Eva Mateo
Logan Tucker
Mason Tucker  

Preceded in death by:
Parents:Olivia Cruz Pumarejo – Mother
Ines Galvan Carcaña – Father
Siblings:
Maria Dolores (Lola) Galvan
Jose Carcaña
Rosa Carcaña
Juanita Medina
Children:
Nora Edith Ortiz
Carmen Lydia Nieves
Anna (Annie) Oliva Nieves
Grandchild:
Edward Tucker

Teresa would say life is like ice cream; it needs to be enjoyed before it melts. In her memory, have a scoop of ice cream and enjoy the time you spend with the ones you love.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, your local food bank, animal shelter, or a favorite charity. Due to COVID restrictions, the family is having a private graveside ceremony at Sarasota Veteran’s Cemetery.