Julia "Delia" Cortes

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Julia “Delia” Cortes (89) of Linares, Spain passed away peacefully surrounded by family at home in St. Petersburg, Florida on Monday, June 23. Delia was born to Esperanza and Jose Rodriguez in Linares, Spain.  Soon after she was born, the family moved to Tampa, Florida where they began a family tradition of owning Spanish restaurants. She grew up in Ybor City and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1952. In 1974, she and husband Jose, opened Pepin Restaurant in St Petersburg and watched their dream grow for close to 40 years. They dedicated all their time to their restaurant, the Dali Museum, and traveling to their beloved Spain.

Delia is survived by her brother, Pepe Rodriguez, daughter and son-in-law, Monique and Jim Massaro, grandchildren, Alaina and JD Massaro, all of St Petersburg, Florida, along with cousins, nieces and nephews in Spain. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jose Cortes, and her parents, Esperanza and Jose Rodriguez. Delia will be remembered as a smart business woman who was passionate about her family and friends, and her Tampa Bay Rays.

A service celebrating Delia’s life will take place on Monday, July 7 at 11:00am following a memorial visitation from 10:00am-11:00am at Anderson McQueen Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation: https://tribute.michaeljfox.org/tribute-page.php?id=3249&np=true