Lilia “Lillian” (Arrab) Caliento, 95, passed away peacefully at home on January 3, 2021.
Born in Santa Clara, Cuba, she was the daughter of the late Jamil & Selma (Macary) Arrab.
Lilia, with her father, mother, and three sisters, left Cuba in 1948 to move to the United States.
Lilia married the love of her life, Carmen Caliento, a Springfield Police Officer. They spent 66 wonderful years together until his passing in 2019.
Lilia’s pride and joy in life was her family and her passion for teaching. She received her Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Havana before coming to the United States when she was 21 years old. Her career as a bilingual educator began in the Springfield Public Schools where she had the pleasure of teaching for 25 years.
Lilia’s inner beauty shined through in her patience, sincerity, kindness, and compassion for others. She will always be remembered for her many traditional Lebanese/ Cuban meals prepared with love for her beloved family and friends. She enjoyed spending precious time with her family at the beach in Narragansett, RI and especially sharing the gift of her paintings.
Lilia will be forever missed by her loving daughters, Cynthia Caliento & fiancé Joseph McLaughlin of Somers, CT, and Susan Caliento-Foley & husband John of Springfield. Her beloved sisters, Nabiha Dowd, Julia Arrab and the late Maria Santamaria all of Springfield. Her cherished grandchildren, Matthew Foley & wife Maggie, Evan Foley & wife Michele, and her granddaughter Chelsea Foley. She will also be missed by her brother-in-law, Leonard Caliento & wife Antoinette of East Longmeadow, as well as her beloved nieces, nephews, extended family & friends.
Due to the pandemic, Lillian’s funeral services are private.
Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 123 William St., Springfield, MA 01105, or St. Jude’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Please visit www. TazziniFuneralHome.com for condolences.