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Born in San José, Costa Rica, on March 31, 1941, Mayra S. Cordes lived a life marked by love, adventure, and an unwavering devotion to her family and community. She was the beloved identical twin of Aida Christina sister to Johnny Solano and the daughter of Edgar Solano and Yvette Castillo Bendixen, later raised by Yvette and Jesse Bendixen.
03/31/1941 – 03/19/2025
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Mayra’s early years took her from San José, Costa Rica to Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela, where her mother worked in healthcare, to Lake Charles, Louisiana, where she and Aida attended Catholic boarding school. Their family later settled in Miami, where Mayra built a life rich with purpose and connection. She worked alongside her mother at North Shore Hospital before transitioning to Food Fair, where she met her husband, William “Bill” Cordes. Together, they created a life rooted in business, international travel, and the shared joy of community. Even after Bill’s passing in 1991, Mayra remained devoted to the life they had built.
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Mayra was deeply loved by her family, whose time together was always a priority for her. She adored weekends spent with them, where she could enjoy long lunches, shopping, and the simple joy of being surrounded by loved ones. She was a generous woman with a heart full of warmth, and her hospitality knew no bounds. Whether hosting friends and family or simply sharing a laugh, she brought joy and light into every room. Her infectious laugh and timeless sense of style made her a radiant presence wherever she went.
A devoted member of the Women’s Club, All Angels Episcopal Church, and a passionate participant in Jazzercise, Mayra traveled extensively with her close-knit group, attending conventions, events, and competitions. She possessed a remarkable eye for adornments and a rare gift for working with her hands, creating exquisite ornaments with meticulous care.
Mayra is preceded in death by her parents, Edgar Solano, Yvette Castillo Bendixen, and Jesse
Bendixen; her brother, Johnny Solano; her husband, William Cordes; her niece, Suzanne Entner; and her nephew, Kevin Bell.
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She is survived by her loving twin sister, Aida Bell; her aunts, Nydia Castillo and Maria Teresa
Gonzalez; her niece, Ana Solano; Gibelle Solano & sons Miguel and Johnny Solano; her grandniece, Alexis Entner; and her stepdaughters, Lisa Cordes and Lynne Cole. She is also lovingly remembered by her step-grandchildren, Carissa Thomas and Anthony Mascarow, their spouses, children, and many beloved family members in Costa Rica.
Mayra’s legacy endures in the lives of the family, friends, and community she so deeply cherished. Her warmth, generosity, creativity, and unwavering devotion will be profoundly missed but forever remembered by those who were touched by her grace, spirit, and infectious joy.