Milagros Quesada

Our beautiful and beloved wife, mother, sister and friend, Milagros Antonia Agostini de Quesada passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on September 5, 2018 at her home in Akron, Ohio, following her brave and admirable fight with cancer. Milagros was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, to Jose Antonio and Elba Agostini. She spent her early years in Puerto Rico, leaving briefly at just 16 years of age to pursue her passions and earn her bachelor's degree in Music at the University of Illinois - Chicago. Upon graduating, she returned to her cherished island home and began her career as a music educator. Beautiful both inside and out, she was crowned Carnaval Queen and third-runner-up in the Miss Puerto Rico pageant. Still, brighter than her beauty was the brilliance of her mind and spirit, and her love for music. This commitment to teaching and lifelong learning led her to a master's degree and later a Doctorate in Music Education from Kent State University where she went on to teach, write, and serve. In 2015, Milagros retired from Kent State University as an Associate Professor of Music after 23 years of inspiring countless young minds and touching the hearts of musicians who all shared her incredible passion for music. Milagros lived each day of her life to the fullest and had an exceptional gift of making every person she encountered feel welcomed, cared for, and valued. Anyone with whom she shared her time knows that her laugh could light up a room and joy filled her heart. Milagros' special ability to touch people in a meaningful and positive way will be deeply missed. Beyond her talents as musician and teacher, Milagros was also a magical and creative force in the kitchen and, like her spirit, her culinary creations brought everyone together. Her Flan was her most requested treat and will forever be an unmatched sweet delight. Milagros met the love of her life in Spain and, following a splendidly romantic courtship, she married Antonio Quesada in 1971. Together they began the journey that brought her the most joy in life - her family. Milagros and Antonio shared many adventures and travelled the world together, enjoying the culture of each place they experienced and constantly learning about new people, new things, and each other. The place they most celebrated was anywhere with their only daughter, Marival. For Milagros, Marival was always a source of overwhelming pride and unending love and this extended to her two grandchildren who will forever embody and celebrate the life, gifts and legacy of their precious, Buelin. Milagros is survived by her beloved and devoted husband, Antonio, her daughter Marival (John), grandchildren Gionni and Alessandra, sister Mary (Michael) Rothstein, brother Reynaldo Agostini and countless dear friends who were also her family. Our profound loss is lessened only with the comfort we find in knowing that she is joyfully greeted in heaven by her parents and brother, Jose Antonio, who preceded her in death and our strong Catholic faith. Milagros' peace and strength were deeply rooted in her faith and a special adoration for the Blessed Mother. There was nothing in this earthly life that could diminish her faith, her love, her grace, her integrity, and her fierce and enduring devotion to her husband and family. We know the gift of Milagros' life and her spirit will be forever carried forward by those who loved her. Friends may call at Hummel Funeral Home, 500 East Exchange Street Akron, 44304 on Tuesday from 4-7 PM. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at 10 AM at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 44 University Ave. Akron, 44308. Interment in Rose Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, we humbly ask that you celebrate Milagros' life and love of animals with a donation to One of a Kind Pets. She believed in kindness, doing good deeds, and telling those in her heart that she loved them. May we carry her memory and heart with us, each day, by doing the same.