She was born on February 19, 1932, to a hard-working family in Holguin, Cuba.
Her parents named her Dulce Maria (Sweet Mary). They had no way of knowing she
would live up to her name in so many ways, including the ultimate sacrifice,
freezing and thawing over and over in the harsh Western New York winters,
suffering, and giving up her life to save her sisters and their families. Her story is not mine to tell, but I wrote her a poem.
Gently and softly you come
In your virginal, pure cloak
Deadly wind to come
Your deceit lies here
Polished ice over my tombstone
Rest in peace Tilo, as we all called
you.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his
friends John 15:13
