Elba Engmann

Elba Adela Engmann, 91, passed away on September 28, 2017 at her home, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

Elba was born on January 12, 1926 in Chincolco, Chile.  She grew up in Chile and graduated from Teresian Boarding School in Santiago, Chile, and Santiago Business College.  She then worked for a furniture import/export company in Santiago before starting her family. After raising her children, she embarked on a ten-year career with Bloomingdales in Miami, Florida, achieving the top salesperson for several years running.

Elba met her husband, Guillermo (Bill), on a blind date in 1953 and they were married on August 20, 1955. She moved to the United States permanently in 1957 with her husband and son Rodolfo (Rolf).  Daughter Victoria (Vikky) and son Alexander (Alex) were subsequently born in Miami, Florida where she raised her three children. After Bill’s retirement, they moved to Pembroke Pines, Florida where they maintained their active Chilean-American friendships from Miami, being gracious hosts while providing great Chilean and German food, music and dancing. Elba’s green thumb was world-renowned, so much that she insisted that a separate moving truck bring up her prized orchids when they moved to Ponte Vedra Beach in late 2015. Her gardening took a back seat to spending all her time possible with her great-grandsons.

Elba is predeceased by her loving husband of 61 years, Guillermo; and leaves sons Rodolfo (Jenny) and Alex (Luz and Luz’s son Anthony); daughter Victoria (Vince); grandchildren, Eric, Katie (Ross) and Kevin (Alexa), great-grandchildren Gavin and Logan; favorite nephew Marcelo (Solidad).

Visitation will be from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, October 1, 2017, with a prayer vigil at 4:00 p.m., in the Chapel at Quinn-Shalz of Jacksonville Beach, Florida. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 2nd at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made to Community Hospice and Palliative Care where Elba received exceptional compassionate care.