NORMA CARIDEO

The world lost a most remarkable woman Friday, May 11, 2018. Norma Vivian Carideo passed away at St. Rose Hospital, surrounded by her family and loved ones. She was a fabulously proud mother of three and an even prouder “Nani” of four. Born July 27, 1931, to Enrique Gonzalez and Caridad Castro, Norma spent her youth in Ybor City, Florida. At age five, her family relocated to New York City. In 1956, she arrived in Las Vegas, where she created a family of her own. A true trailblazer, Norma was one of Pan Am’s first female flight attendants based in New York. Being of Cuban descent and fluent in Spanish, she flew international routes to Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, and other Latin-American countries. After she arrived in Las Vegas, she opened the first Cuban restaurant called the Jai Alai. She was one of Las Vegas’ first female showroom captains. She was also one of the first female Food and Beverage Director’s at Caesars Palace and she spent over 20 years with the Culinary Union giving thousands in town their first jobs. Norma was a first in all our hearts. She is survived by her three children, Louis, Lisa Mia and Julie; and her four grandchildren, Anthony, Paris Iana, Savannah and Noah. She has many beloved nieces and nephews; as well from her siblings, Aida, Henry, Robert and Roland. To know Norma was to know true loyalty, kindness, friendship and strength. She was a beautiful human being and her humor, zest for life and unending generosity will be profoundly missed. Arrangements for her celebration of life are being prepared. Please contact the family directly for details or by emailing jcsilverlake@ yahoo.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.