Asela Gregorio

Asela Maria Luisa Garcia Gregorio, 91, died May 25, 2017, from Alzheimer's disease, surrounded by her children and grandchildren in South Jordan, UT. She was born December 6, 1925, in Santiago, Cuba, to Sabina Augustina and Bernardo Garcia.

Asela's life was a rewarding mixture of old and new that spanned two countries and two coasts. She worked for the Cuban Ministry of Justice before marrying Charles Frederick Graziano and moving to Miami a few years before Castro-he was one year her junior-took power. From Miami, they moved to the West Coast, where Asela learned how to repair televisions at the repair shop she and her first husband owned. She used those skills after their divorce as an electrician at what was then Lockheed Aircraft Manufacturing Company. While in California, she met the love of her life, Joseph Fisher Gregorio, at a single's dance. They married October 25, 1974, and Joseph became her children's father. She and Joseph then moved to Utah, where Asela inspired others with her love of learning as a librarian at the Kearns Library, eventually retiring from there.

Asela's life was good. She roller-skated as a child on the white marble of one of Havana's oldest plazas; moved a young family across the United States; converted to Mormonism for love, but said the Lord's Prayer every night and had instant coffee with honey every morning. She grew asparagus and daisies and marigolds in her well-manicured garden in Kearns. Her grandchildren called her Abba, short for abuela.

Asela is survived by her children Charles Graziano, Daniel Graziano, Bernie Graziano, Belinda Graziano, and Louise (Rusty) Isakson; nine grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by husband Joseph, daughter Susan, and sister Maria.

Her family is thankful for the sweet nurses, medical assistants, and other staff at Legacy House of South Jordan who cared for Asela's immediate needs during the final two years of her life.

Memorial services will be held Thursday, June 1, 2:00 p.m., at Redwood Memorial Estates (6500 S. Redwood Rd., Taylorsville), with a viewing Wednesday 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.