Ms. Noemi P. Sarco, lovingly known as "Mimi," was born on April 28, 1923, in Oriente, Cuba, to Francisco Padrón Ibarbia and Mercedes Saumel Padrón. From the very beginning, she carried a bright, independent spirit. She was intelligent, generous, loving, and full of life. Family meant everything to her. She spent much of her youth enjoying life in Cuba surrounded by her parents, beloved sister, aunt, uncle and many cousins. Life's journey led her far beyond the shores of her birthplace. Mimi graduated from Pineland College in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and later earned a Master of Arts in Romance Languages from the University of Michigan, where her love for language and culture deepened. She spent much of her life sharing that passion with students as a beloved Spanish teacher, first at Mary Grove College in Detroit and then, at Kimball High School in Royal Oak, Michigan.

Even after retirement, the classroom continued to call her back, and she briefly taught adult Spanish at Hillsborough Community College and the University of South Florida. Mimi lived a life rich with curiosity, laughter, and adventure. In 1946, she took to the skies, learning to fly a Cessna airplane—a bold endeavor for a young woman of her time. Decades later, at the age of 80, her playful spirit was on full display when she traveled to Chile and surprised her nephew by popping out of the trunk of a car to celebrate his birthday.

Books were constant companions, as were her many dogs. Her love of travel led her to visit numerous states, Canada, Europe, Mexico and South America. Her joyful spirit attracted many friendships, which often found their way to the bowling lanes. Mimi bowled in leagues both in Michigan and Tampa, Florida, and continued to roll the ball down the lane until the remarkable age of 94. Her faith was quiet but steadfast. At St. Paul's Catholic Church, she gave her time and heart, teaching Bible study to children and guiding young minds with kindness and patience. Mimi lived over a century's worth of memories—passing just two months shy of her 103rd birthday—yet she never believed in growing old. She often reminded those around her with a smile: "You are only as old as you feel, so don't get old." And Mimi truly never did.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Francisco Padrón Ibarbia and Mercedes Saumel Padrón; sister, Nilda Diego, (Ramon); aunt, Malvina Villa Padrón; uncle, Aurelio Padrón Ibarbia; first cousins, Arturo Padrón, Aurelio Padrón, Alberto Padrón; and beloved niece, Yolanda Westerstrom Diego.

She leaves cherished memories to her daughter, Denise Sarco-Stipe, (James); grandchildren, Justin Stipe, (Olivia) and Alicia Stipe; nephews, Richard Diego, (Claudia) and Dennis Diego; and cousin, Malvina Camejo. Her life was a beautiful journey of love, laughter, learning, and courage—a spirit that will continue to live on in the many lives she touched.