In Loving Memory of
Maria Teresa Forero
November 24, 1930 – January 25, 2021
A Virtual Memorial Gathering was held on February 28, 2021 at:
4:00 PM PST / 6:00 PM CST / 7:00 PM EST
Heaven gained an Angel, our beloved matriarch, Maria Teresa Forero Nossa, at 90 years young on January 25th, 2021. She was a force of nature who touched the lives of many during her time here on this earth.
She was born on November 24th, 1930 to Cristo Forero and Celmira Barahona in the town of Macheta in Cundinamarca, Colombia, where she was later baptized. She was the second of eighteen children. Maria Teresa spent her formative years in Colombia helping to care for her siblings and pursuing her education for which she received a business degree from El Colegio de Los Ángeles. From 1947 through 1950, she worked her first job at the Department of the Treasury in Bogota.
After her marriage to Jorge Nossa in 1954, they decided to relocate to the United States. They moved to Florida and gave birth to two children, Maria and George. They later moved to New York where they had one more child, Robert. Maria Teresa was very proud of the home she bought in the early 1960’s in Flushing, NY.
Maria Teresa raised her children while pursuing her career goals at a time when it was unconventional. In 1965, she incorporated a business in the Education Field, The Capacitation Schools of America, which included two schools – Business Automation School and Teriama Health School, later known as TTC Training Centers. It was located in the heart of Manhattan, in Times Square. She continued to operate these schools through 1995.
Thousands of people walked through the doors of these schools seeking an education and were welcomed. They received training in English Language skills, Computers, and Secretarial and Travel Agent services. In addition, they received vocational training in allied health Nursing and Dental Laboratory and Dental Assistant fields. She was a pioneer and role model for Hispanic women in the education field.
Many of her very own family, found both her home in Flushing, NY and her schools in Manhattan a shelter and a launch pad for their lives and careers in the United States.
Maria Teresa was officially Naturalized as a U.S. citizen on March 2nd, 1993. She was proud to celebrate this accomplishment with her family at her favorite restaurant, Café Español.
After closing her schools, she ventured into real estate which brought her to California. Though she found much success in the United States, she frequently spoke about her beautiful home in Bogota which she missed dearly. Ultimately, she decided to return to her beloved Colombia to spend her final years of life and even though she was overseas, she continued to check in on her grandchildren and great grandchildren in the U.S.
Maria Teresa had a big heart and shared what she had with everyone. Her biggest delight was bringing the entire family together where she shared her delicious home cooking. Her laughter will echo in our memories and always remind us of the joy she brought to her family and friends.
She is survived by her three children, Maria, George, and Robert, twelve grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren. Though we are saddened by the loss of such a wonderful sister, mother, grandmother, and friend, she will always live on in our hearts. The memories she left behind will comfort us and be shared for generations to come.
Please click here to submit photos or videos of Maria Teresa by Wednesday, February 24th and we will do our best to include them in the ceremony.
Mariate, we love you!
“Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes.
Because for those who love with heart and soul
there is no such thing as separation.”
-Rumi
El cielo ganó un nuevo ángel, el 25 de enero del 2021, nuestra amada matriarca, María Teresa Forero Nossa, de 90 años. Ella fue como una fuerza de la naturaleza que tocó la vida de muchos durante su tiempo aquí en esta tierra.
Nació el 24 de noviembre de 1930 de Cristo Forero y Celmira Barahona en el pueblo de Macheta en Cundinamarca Colombia, donde más tarde fue bautizada. Ella fue la segunda de dieciocho hermanos. María Teresa pasó sus años de formación en Colombia ayudando a cuidar a sus hermanos y siguiendo su educación, por la que recibió un título en negocios de El Colegio de Los Ángeles. Desde 1947 hasta 1950, obtuvo su primer empleo en el Departamento de Hacienda de Bogotá.
Después de su matrimonio con Jorge Nossa en 1954, la pareja decidió trasladarse a Estados Unidos. Se mudaron a Florida y concibieron dos hijos, María y George. Luego se trasladaron a Nueva York, donde tuvieron un hijo más, Robert. Maria Teresa estaba muy orgullosa de la casa que compró a principios de la década de 1960 en Flushing, NY.
María Teresa crió a sus hijos mientras perseguía sus objetivos profesionales en un momento en el que esto no era convencional. En 1965, incorporó una empresa en el campo de la educación, The Capacitation Schools of America, que incluía dos escuelas: Business Automation School y Teriama Health School, más tarde conocidas como TTC Training Centers. Estaban ubicadas en el corazón de Manhattan, en Times Square. Continuó operando estas escuelas hasta 1995.
Miles de personas incursionaron por las puertas de estas academias en busca de educación y fueron bienvenidas. Recibieron capacitación en inglés, informática y servicios de secretariado y agencia de viajes. Además, recibieron formación profesional en los campos afines a la Enfermería, Laboratorio Dental y Asistente Dental. Fue pionera y modelo a seguir para las mujeres hispanas en el campo de la educación.
Muchos miembros de su propia familia encontraron un hogar en Flushing, NY y un refugio en sus escuelas de Manhattan, que les sirvió como plataforma de lanzamiento para sus vidas y carreras en los Estados Unidos.
María Teresa se convirtió en ciudadana Estadounidense el 2 de marzo de 1993. Estaba orgullosa de este logro y lo celebró con su familia en su restaurante favorito, Café Español.
Después de clausurar sus escuelas, se aventuró en bienes raíces que la llevaron a California. A pesar de que tuvo mucho éxito en los Estados Unidos, con frecuencia hablaba de su hermosa casa en Bogotá, la cual extrañaba mucho. Finalmente, decidió regresar a su amada Colombia para pasar sus últimos años de vida allí. Aunque estaba en el extranjero, continuó pendiente de sus nietos y bisnietos en los Estados Unidos.
María Teresa tenía un gran corazón y compartió lo que tenía con todos. Su mayor placer era reunir a toda la familia y compartir su deliciosa comida casera. Su risa hará eco en nuestros recuerdos y siempre nos hará recordar la alegría que trajo a su familia y amigos.
Le sobreviven sus tres hijos, María, George y Robert, doce nietos y once bisnietos. A pesar de que nos entristece la pérdida de una hermana, madre, abuela y amiga maravillosa, ella siempre vivirá en nuestros corazones. Los recuerdos que dejó atrás nos reconfortan y serán compartidos por las generaciones venideras.
Presione aquí para enviar fotos o vídeos de María Teresa antes del miércoles 24 de febrero y haremos todo lo posible para incluirlos en la ceremonia.
¡Mariate, te amamos!
“Las despedidas son solo para los que aman con los ojos.
Porque para los que aman con alma y corazón
no existe la separación “.
– Rumi
Maria Consuelo
@
Maria Teresa was the back bone of our family. She was there for all of us. My memories are limited but amongst them are living in her home while my parents forged out a future for us with her help. I will forever be grateful to her for that.
My dear aunt you are greatly loved and will be greatly missed.
Love you always
john Perez
@
I came to know Maria Tereza in 1965 as an 11 year old immigrant from Colombia. She was to become a very important person in my life; she gave me the opportunity to educate myself in the computer world at a very young age and I used that knowledge to make my 35 year career in Technology. I found myself at her house very often, every weekend! I remember being introduced to Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato sandwiches! She was a fabulous cook! She treated me as “family”, as one of her own. One of the best memories I have; is she sent Georgie and I to Colombia for 2 weeks, and we ended up staying for 2 months! We were having too much fun! I kept in touch with her over the years, as I grew up and moved away. I’m happy to say I have a wife of 40 years, and 3 beautiful daughters, all married and living close by. We just had our recent 7th grand child born 9 days ago! Maria T led a full, long life and touched so many lives, I’m grateful to have known her. God rest her soul.
Rodrigo Rincón
@
Fue una persona muy especial en mi vida y en la de mi familia, la recordaré con su encantadora sonrisa en la celebración de su cumpleaños numero 90, con su amor por las plantas, los animalitos, por su casa y por su buen apetito también. Sabemos que Dios la tiene en un lugar muy especial.
Christine
@
Sister,
You will always live in our hearts. We love you and miss you.
Cristina, Ryan and Melissa Suthar Forero
Delilah Nossa
@
Such small feet yet she stood as strong as an oak tree
Ready for any challenge, determination unmatched
Elegance of royalty
She was enough
She was woman
Lived on by so many
Onto the limitless
Heart open, heart ready
Nicole Forero
@
With Love Always, Nicole, Sofia and Lily Forero.