Valentina "Mamita" Huaman Quispe

On July 31st, Valentina Huaman Quispe —Lovingly known to all as Mamita Valentina— was called to be with our Heavenly Father, at her home in Lima, Peru.

Valentina was born in El Pueblo Pacopata, District of Colcha, Province of Paruro —Cusco, Peru on July, 25th, 1942 to parents’ Eusebio Quispe Vargas and Juana Paula Flores Santos, alongside her 10 brothers. She is survived by her younger brother, Blas Quispe Flores, and four adult children.

Beloved Mother of Julia Amelia Mejia, Nancy Mamani, Braulio Deza and Lucy Huaman; Loving Grandmother to Luz Mirella Rubio, Joe Mejia, Nicole Mejia-Mamani, Marsha Antonella Aranguez Mamani, Chris Mejia, and Christopher Huaman; 

Loving Great-Grandmother to Melanie Calderon, Javier Enriquez, Gabriella Enriquez, Mia Enriquez and Minari Travers-Mamani; And a large number of family and friends, whom many have affectionately known her as ‘Mamita Valentina.’

Valentina was an incredibly hard worker, who was a homemaker and a self-employed business woman. Valentina worked on the farm, alongside her ten brothers and parents, raising cattle and vegetation.

She traveled to Lima, Peru from Cusco, Peru, at the young age of 18 to start her own life.

She worked as a domestic servant until she met Aurelio Mamani Quispe, and decided to work for herself, as a self-employed woman. With Aurelio, she had her two living daughters Julia and Nancy, alongside her now-deceased son and daughter. Aurelio unfortunately, passed away alongside their daughter, Sandra.

In starting her new life, she met Adolfo Deza, with whom she had one son, Braulio.

As life went on, Valentina separated from Adolfo, and met Teofilo Huaman Valverde. Valentina married Teofilo, with whom she had her youngest daughter, Lucy.

Valentina would spend her years as a married woman, caring for her children and soon-grandchildren.

Later on in life, Valentina moved to the Unites States to live with her daughter Julia. 

Valentina would here, spend time caring for her grandchildren and visiting the ducks at the nearby cemetery, George Washington cemetery.

She would frequently take walks with her grandchildren and feed the ducks.

She loved cooking and would cook huge portions of food to make sure everyone always had a plate to go. Valentina would always cook from memory, from her many years of cooking commercially in Peru. 

Valentina’s Peruvian cooking was unmatched, and those in the family who’ve experienced her cooking, would say the same.

In her later years, Valentina would frequent the Senior Center in Silver Spring to spend time with friends, until the Pandemic occurred. Valentina frequently visited Peru, where she spent time visiting friends, family and neighbors.

Valentina enjoyed watching Youtube vlogs about Peruvian cuisine and cooking, as well as visits to her homeland, Cusco. She also loved watching novelas and listening to her favorite music, Huayno. She also enjoyed drawing and painting in her coloring books at home. Valentina also enjoyed spending many afternoons petting and laughing with her daughter’s cats, Junie and Kenji.

Valentina made many friends here in the Unites States and was loved dearly by her neighbors in Peru. She spent one last birthday party with her neighbors and friends in Peru, prior to her passing. 

She will be incredibly missed by her family and all those that loved her; and her family is so grateful for the many years we had with her.

“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” Psalm 23, Verse 4

We, the family, welcome your presence at the viewing of Mamita Valentina on Saturday, August 12th from 2:00-4:00pm/6:00-8:00pm with the funeral service on Sunday, August 13th at 10:00am at Gasch’s Funeral Home.

The Burial will take place at George Washington Cemetery in Adelphi, MD at 12:00pm.