Beatriz Allen

Beatriz Allen, age 64 of Northport, passed away Saturday, November 13, 2021. There will be a memorial service at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church Chapel. Burial will follow in the church columbarium. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Hugo E and Margarita Benitez. She is survived by her sister, Belkis Walther (Randy) of Tuscaloosa; brother, Hugo Benitez (Katy) of Tuscaloosa; nieces, Angela Taggart (Miller) of Tuscaloosa and Dr. Kelsey Taylor (Paul) of Birmingham; nephew, Paul Walther of Tuscaloosa; great nephews, Peyton Taggart, Ryder Taggart and Jackson Taylor; cherished Aunt Haydee Fernandez and cousins, Ana Mari San Jose (Raul) and Carlos Fernandez (Maria) all of Miami, FL. Beatriz was born in Havana, Cuba on June 6, 1957. Her family immigrated to the U.S. when she was 4 years old to escape the religious persecution of the Castro regime. The family lived in Miami for a few years and then moved to Tuscaloosa, AL where she attended elementary and high school. She attended the University of Alabama where she received a degree in Political Science in 1979, and later a degree in Education. She taught Political Science and Spanish in the Birmingham area for twenty-five years and after retirement moved to Winter Park in the Orlando, FL area where she taught Advanced Spanish for almost ten years. Teaching was her passion and she was an exceptional teacher. She was beloved by her students and fellow teachers for her dedication, hard work, and willingness to help others. She received many awards from students and peers. One student gave her a cherished compliment when she said Beatriz taught her life lessons along with Spanish. A fellow teacher said Beatriz left a hole in their community and in their hearts which they will never fill. They will cherish her memory. We will always remember Beatriz’s big smile and her love for her faith, family, students, and her cats. The family thanks Ashley Long for the loving care and companionship during her extended illness. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, https://donate3.cancer.org/?campaign=default&lang=en%20&_ga=2.71286352.135635238.1637079067-1280152202.1637079066