Sister Iliana Valdes, O.P.

Sister Iliana Valdes, O.P. was born in Havana Cuba in 1944. She died on May 16, 2017 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She was a Dominican Sister for 54 years. During the political upheaval in Cuba, she was one of thousands of unaccompanied minors to arrive in Florida at the age of 15.

Sister Iliana ministered at Dominican Retreat Houses in Miami, FL and Albuquerque, NM. She also worked among the poor, the farm workers in Florida and served as an ambassador encouraging organ donations after she herself received a kidney transplant in 2000. Since 2008 she volunteered at Misíon San Juan Diego, in Meadowlake; San Ignacio Church and Risen Savior Catholic Community in Albuquerque.

Sister Iliana earned certificates for retreat work, pastoral ministry, and spiritual direction from both the University of Notre Dame and Saint Joseph’s Center in Albuquerque.
Sister Iliana is survived by her sisters, Maria Carlota Valdes and Dania Goicoechea, both residing in Miami, Florida, as well as nieces and nephews, many friends, and members of her Dominican Community.

A Vigil service will be held at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at Risen Savior Catholic Church, 7701 Wyoming Blvd NE Albuquerque.  The Funeral Mass for Sister Iliana will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at 11:00 am also at Risen Savior Catholic Church, with a luncheon to follow.

A Memorial Mass will be held at the Dominican Sisters of Peace chapel in Columbus, Ohio on Thursday, June 1, 2017 followed by interment at the Motherhouse Cemetery.

Memorial gifts in Sister Iliana’s name may be submitted to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr., Columbus OH 43219.

To view information or leave a condolence please visit www.danielsfuneral.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to
Daniels Family Funeral Services
Wyoming Chapel
7601 Wyoming Blvd. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
505-821-0010