Maria Head

Maria Head passed away on February 20, 2018 in Cornerstone Hospice of Orlando of complications of cancer. She leaves behind her husband, John Head and four children, William Johnson, Paul Johnson, Christina Moreland and Anna Feltault, as well as 2 grandchildren, Stephan Johnson and Liam Feltault.

Maria Cruces Head was born Maria de las Cruces Ambrona-Ortiz in Madrid, Spain on April 23, 1937. She was the youngest of 3 children. Her sister Carmen Ambrona Ortiz lives in La Manga del Mar Minor in Spain's southeastern coast (Murcia). Her brother Jose Maria preceded her passing in 2016.

Maria, or Maricruz as she is known to many of her extensive network of family and friends, lived in northern Spain in Santander and Lanestosa with her maternal grandparents and brother and sister for much of her youth. She always held a special fondness for the scenery and customs of the Basque and Cantabria regions of Spain.

In her twenties she married an American serviceman of the US Air Force stationed in Spain and emigrated to the United States. They had children and moved frequently throughout the world. This marriage ended in divorce. In 1976 she married John Head, to whom she was married for almost 43 years. The family moved to Orlando in 1977. Together, they often travelled to Spain in order to visit family and visited other European countries.

Maria managed the household and indulged her love of horticulture. She grew flowers, planted shrubbery and trees, and maintained a yard that was the wonder of the neighborhood . She was especially fond of orchids, with an amazing array of blossoms and colors. She also was a talented cook, feeding her family with healthful meals cooked from scratch in the old-fashioned manner. She was a strong advocate of healthy lifestyle, and shopped daily for fresh fruits and vegetables in the European manner.

Maria was a devout Catholic, with a lifelong attachment to the church and its teachings. She was a member of Blessed Trinity congregation, and had many friends and supporters throughout the more than 40 years she was a member.

Maria was an enemy of all unhealthy practices throughout her life. Ironically, she developed lung cancer, a disease often associated with the unhealthy practice of smoking, and courageously battled it for more than 7 years. Despite her cancer, she continued to live her life to its fullest and was known for her warm smile and helping others. During these final years she became very involved in the life of her grandson, Liam, picking him up from school and having healthy dinners prepared for the entire family.

She was loved by all who knew her and will be missed by all. A memorial mass will take place at St. James Cathedral, 215 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801, on Saturday, March 3 at 10:30am. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Lung Association,
851 Outer Road, Orlando, FL 32814

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