Mercedes Lopez Manzur passed away in comfort and at peace in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 5, 2021, after battling many medical issues for years. She was born July 24, 1938, in Havana, Cuba, and came to America when she was 29 years old. She loved her family deeply, would do anything for them, and her grandchildren were her heart. When they were little, you were always sure to find cooked pasta in her purse so she could feed them anywhere at any time. She had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh, especially at herself. Her favorite pastime was cooking and eating with her family; and when she was younger, also singing and dancing. Mercedes was the type of person who would give you the shirt off her back, which she literally tried to get her daughters to do on more than one occasion.
Mercedes worked for various Las Vegas hotels for over 40 years. As a maid in the early 1970s, and in the pantry for the three decades that followed. She occasionally told stories of those years: once she rode in a service elevator with Elvis Presley; and she would clean Tom Jones’ room while listening to him practice his scales and warming up his voice.
Mercedes spent the last year of her life in the best place she could be; surrounded by her family, which brought her joy and peace. She lived with, and was cared for, by her daughter Suzy; her son-in-law Joe; and granddaughters, Olivia and Isabella. The previous year she was cared for in her home by her son Juan, which was a gift in and of itself. Over the last several years she went on fun trips to Laguna Beach with her daughter Mercy and daughter-in-law Gwen.
Mercedes is preceded in death by her father Paulino Lopez, mother Erundina Gonzales, and brother Manuel Lopez.
She is survived by her son Juan Manzur; daughter Mercy (Gwen) Leonard; daughter Suzy (Joe Lacorazza) Stabile; grandsons, Lazaro Manzur and Juan Manzur Jr.; granddaughters, Olivia Stabile and Isabella Stabile, and sister Rosa (Nacho) Quiles.
Per her wishes, Mercedes will be cremated and her ashes scattered in the ocean in a private ceremony.
3 Comments. Leave new
Love you Mami
Love you Tia
I remember when I would stay with you and you would let me go in your pool all day, I would play on the piano even though I didn’t know how to play. You always made delicious food. I would pick pomegranates out of your tree even if they weren’t ready yet. I can remember your laugh and smile Tia, I wish I could’ve been more around. I never seen you mad always happy and full of life and that’s how I will always remember you Tia, Te Quiero Mucho