Cecilia Ouellette

Cecilia Colombia Lopez Zurita Ouellette passed peacefully on April 11, 2026, at the age of 79. Cecilia is survived by her husband, Eugene Ouellette; her daughters, Sissi Zach (Jim Zach) and Becky Palmer (Fred Palmer); five grandchildren, Jason, Natalie, Chandler, Aiden, and Sarah; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Genaro Agustin Lopez Amores and Colombia Felicita Zurita Campana, and her sister, Margarita Lopez Albán. Cecilia was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador on October 22, 1946. She moved to Maine in 1968 where she met Eugene and attended Husson College in Bangor. In 1970, they moved to Tampa, FL where she furthered her education at Florida Atlantic University with a bachelor’s degree in history. She then completed her Master of Science degree in Library and Information Studies at Florida State University. She had established a fulfilling career as a research librarian at the University of Tampa and then at the Broward County Library where she retired. She was a strong woman with a deeply compassionate heart, known for the way she loved people fully, sincerely, and without hesitation. She was a devoted Catholic of the church, Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. Her faith guided her throughout her life and was evident in the love, kindness, and generosity she shared with everyone around her. Anyone who crossed her path felt her warmth and kindness, often describing her as one of the most caring and giving people they had ever known. She dedicated many years of her life as a reference librarian, where her love of books, knowledge, and help naturally flourished. She took pride in guiding people, always patient and thoughtful. Through her work and personal life, she built countless lifelong friendships that she cherished deeply. She shared 58 beautiful years of marriage with her beloved husband, Eugene, a partnership built on love and commitment to each other and their family. They embraced life side by side traveling to places near and far, and creating lasting memories through their love of museums, concerts, walks in the park, time with family, and time spent together. She was a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother in every sense of the word. Faithful, nurturing, and always present. She never stopped being a beautiful soul, always offering guidance, comfort, and unconditional love throughout her life to all of us. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched with her kindness, her strength, and her ability to make everyone feel valued and loved. She will be remembered not just for what she did, but for how she made people feel. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for April 24, 2026, 3:00 PM, at DeGusipe Funeral Home, 3530 49th Street N, St. Petersburg, FL 33710. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Cecilia’s memory may be made to The American Cancer Society and A Living Tribute, causes that were meaningful to her: A Living Tribute - https://shop.alivingtribute.org/ American Cancer Society - https://donate.cancer.org/

Cecilia Ouellette

October 22, 1946 - April 11, 2026