October 10, 1927 - February 16, 2020
Larrubia, Aida Maria (Fernandez) 92, resident of Ashland and formerly longtime resident of Roslindale, died peacefully at home with her loving son Joseph and daughter in law Cheryl by her side after a long period of dementia.
Born and educated in Cuba she received her Doctorate of Education at the University of Havana. She arrived to the United States from Cuba in 1969 with her husband and two children. She immediately immersed herself in her love of education and became a teacher in the Boston School system where she taught bilingual education until her retirement in 1997. She was loved by her students and respected by her fellow teachers and received an award for Teacher of the Year from the Kennedy School in 1993. She constantly enrolled in further education for herself to advance her own knowledge and further her ability to give each of her students the best education possible. She was affectionately known as "Doctor Larrubia" to many of her peers.
Aida resided in Roslindale for 40 years before moving to Ashland in 2015 to live with her son Joseph and daughter in law Cheryl. While residing in Roslindale she enjoyed spending time with her family, friends, and working in the yard tending to her rose bushes. She was a Red Sox fan and loved David Ortiz. While residing with her son and daughter in law she enjoyed participating in family occasions and looking at the many pictures of her family, past students, and fellow teachers and telling her grandsons about her life and history in Cuba.
Aida was loved by all who had the privilege to spend time with her and will always be remembered for her constant love for her son and daughter, and her special relationships with her grandsons, granddaughter, sister and nephew. Her kind smile, warm hugs, cheerful laugh, storytelling ability and generosity to others will always be treasured.
Aida was predeceased by her husband Jose D. Larrubia and is survived by her son Joseph Larrubia and his wife Cheryl of Ashland, daughter Olga McGillicuddy of Bellingham, grandsons William Larrubia of Cloudcroft, NM, Trevor Larrubia and wife Kelli of Middletown, CT, Cory Larrubia of Marlborough, MA, granddaughter Jennifer Salman and husband George of Norwood, MA . She is also survived by her sisters Marta Hernandez of CT, Nilda Giscard of Cuba, nephew Rigo Hernandez and wife Amy and their children Alyssa and Ryan of CT, as well as her long time best friend Marie O'Donnell of W. Roxbury, MA.
Visiting hours at the P.E. Murray-F.J. Higgins, George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 2000 Centre St. West Roxbury on Friday, February 21 from 9-11am followed by a funeral service in the funeral home at 11am. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. At the request of the family the interment will be private. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in her memory to the Alzheimer's Foundation, 309 Waverley Oaks Rd. Waltham, MA 02452 or Care Dimensions Hospice, 75 Sylvan St. B-102, Danvers, MA 01923.
Joseph and Cheryl would like to thank their team from Care Dimensions Hospice for the outstanding care and support which they provided to Aida and to them as well.