Social media users have expressed their sorrow in recent hours over the passing of Reyna Lobaina Rodríguez, one of the most iconic figures in the gastronomy of Santiago de Cuba, known to all as the "elder lady of La Fontana."
An old image posted in the Facebook group "Old Photos, Province, Santiago de Cuba" prompted several internet users to comment that the woman passed away some time ago in the city, recalling that she was a shining example of dedication to her work.
Mirtha Flanders said: "Legendary, active, respectful, selfless, skilled in her performance at the irretrievable Fontana di Trevi."
"Fond memories of Reyna. Since I was a child, I went to the Fontana with my parents, and she was an exemplary employee, very swift and with a strong character. May her light shine forever; rest in peace," noted Isabel Maurelo.
For his part, Jordy Lefebre stated, "He passed away about three months ago."
For many, Reyna was the most famous chef in Santiago de Cuba, and for almost 60 years, she dedicated herself to this craft in a city that has, in recent times, become infamous for the poor service in both state and private establishments.
Since its inauguration on July 26, 1964, she worked at the iconic pizzeria La Fontana Di Trevi, located in the Heritage Corridor of Las Enramadas. She was a salesperson in a place renowned for being an excellent dining spot decades ago, and today it is one of those buildings that everyone looks upon fondly.
However, over the years, saying "La Fontana" and "Reyna" became synonymous in the minds of several generations of Santiago residents.
Despite her extreme thinness, it was always astonishing to see her carrying heavy trays filled with pizzas, pasta, and even up to 30 beers stacked on them. This was one of the trademarks that made her famous, along with her friendly demeanor, which many claim never changed, even when she was suffering from illnesses or dealing with personal problems.
What amazed many was that Reyna, at over 80 years old, continued to work at the establishment she had opened, carrying heavy trays filled with plates and bottles with the same agility that had made her famous.
In 2019, he gave an interview to CiberCuba in which he lamented that, after more than eight decades of life and over 55 years devoted to working for the Cuban regime, he was never compensated for his dream of having his own home.
In her home, Reyna kept all the journalistic pieces in which she had appeared, including those produced by the local television.
However, she confessed that she regretted, along with the more than 10 relatives she lived with, the loss of the old photos showing her working in the microbrigade, the long hours spent to secure her home.
"At 82 years old, I continue to work because I want to have my own house, and the whole world knows that," she asserted categorically and without hesitation in the interview granted in 2019.
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