Haydee Cristina Pages' Obituary
Haydee Cristina Pagés (neé Alvarez) was born outside of Havana, Cuba on February 7, 1930. She was born number 7 in a large brood of 12 kind, loving, affectionate, boisterous, close-knit siblings, who all remained close-knit throughout their lives.
A natural bookworm, Haydee loved to learn. As a child, she would hide out under a shady tree, reading for hours at a time. Her love of reading naturally grew into a love of academics. As a young adult, Haydee received a PhD in Early Childhood Education from the University of Havana. After graduation, she began her teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse in the rural Cuban countryside. In a few short years, she would quickly rise to the role of principal in the education system.
Her teaching career came to an abrupt halt in 1967 when Haydee, her husband Felix, and young daughter Isis, all emigrated to the United States. Although she never resumed her role as a teacher in the U.S., she did stay in the world of academia, and began a second career working for Fairfax County Public Schools.
In 1970, an unexpected addition to the family arrived. Haydee gave birth to Felix A. Pagés, Jr.
In 1996, Haydee retired from FCPS after a long, fruitful career. Upon retiring, she and her husband Felix, Sr., spent time with their grandchildren, and travelled the world. Their travels took them across Spain, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, and the Caribbean.
In 2018, she welcomed another unexpected addition to the family with their arrival of her fourth grandchild Felix Alejandro Vara-Pagés.
Haydee transitioned on January 27, 2024.
She is survived by her two adoring children – Isis Glass and Felix Pagés, Jr., and their spouses – Anthony Glass and April Vara-Pagés, along with her four grandchildren Ryan Glass, Kelsey Glass, Jordan Glass, and Felix Alejandro Pagés, Jr.
A beloved mother, grandmother, wife, scholar, educator, cook, and world traveler…Haydee will forever live in our hearts.
May she rest in peace.
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