, 88, of Tampa, FL passed away on Wednesday, February 10th at Seasons Hospice in Dunedin, FL. She was born in Ciales, P.R. on Christmas Day, 1932. Her father passed away when she was only two, so Mariana was raised by her mother with the help of extended family and her five older sisters. Mariana attended local schools followed by college in San Juan. She then settled into a quiet life as an elementary school teacher.
In late 1957 Mariana was introduced to Carl Hilton by his younger brother Peter. Two and a half years later in July of 1960, Carl and Mariana were married. After marriage, Mariana devoted the rest of her life to her family, and, as a devout Catholic, to God. From 1962 to 1970, Mariana gave birth to five children, four boys and a girl.
Carl and Mariana moved to many different locations while Carl worked his way through a USCG career that spanned over two decades. In 1974 he completed his service. Mariana and her family moved to Tampa. For the next 46 years, she devoted her entire heart and soul to her husband, five children and her faith. As the years passed, she became a grandmother eight times over. She was loved by all her grandchildren, who affectionately called her “Anma”.
Mariana was preceded in death by her parents Mariano and Cruz Maldonado, and her five sisters: Ines, Cuta, Irma, Carmen and Tonita. She was survived by her husband of over sixty years, Carl, and her five children: Paul, Connie, Shaun, Wayne and Mark; as well as her eight grandchildren.
Mariana Maldonado Hilton’s values to treat well and respect those around her, love and care for her family and stay faithful to God never wavered. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother, and will be sorely missed.
Any contributions in Mariana’s name should be made to Catholic Charities Diocese of St Petersburg, Inc. https://www.givecentral.org/appeals-form-registration/acp5d2de8036a494/user/guest