Maria Tila Alvarez Escalada

Maria D. “Tila” Alvarez Escalada, 87, of Worcester, passed away on Wednesday, January 10, 2018, in the comfort of her home, with her loving family at her side.  Her dear husband of fifty-three years, Otto Alvarez, predeceased her in November 2014. Tila is survived by her daughter, Maria M. Alvarez Kudron and her husband Philip, with whom she lived; her granddaughter, Taylor Kudron of Boston; her grandson Jeffrey Kudron of Worcester; a brother, Jose Alvarez of Gijon, Spain; two sisters, Rosario Cuervo and Joventina Alba, both of Oviedo, Spain; many nieces and nephews.  Tila was born in Alcedo, Belmonte, Asturias, Spain, daughter of the late, Enrique Alvarez and Maria Arnaldo Escalada.  She moved from Spain in her early twenty’s, to Cuba, where she met the love of her life Otto.  Together they moved to the United States in 1967, fleeing from communism. Here in Worcester, they settled and began living the American Dream of owning a home and raising a family. Tila worked for many years as an extruder for Belden Plastics, until they closed in 1992.  She was a devout Roman Catholic woman and was dedicated to her family and her church.  Family was always her number one priority and she made a point to care for other families in need.  She took great pride in the friendships she created with people, especially with her beloved friend, Fr. Ed Ryan, who she taught to speak Spanish. Fr. Ryan will preside at her Funeral Mass on Tuesday, January 16, at 10 a.m. in Saint Peter’s Church, 931 Main Street, Worcester.  Interment will be held privately. Calling Hours will be held on Monday night, January 15, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester.  In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Way, Memphis, TN 38105 or by visiting www.stjude.org.