Ana Maria Luisa Gaston McKee

Ani died peacefully on October 5, 2026 in Pembroke Pines, Florida, with the loving care of her daughter, Alicia Palelis and other relatives after a year long battle with ovarian cancer.

Ani began her life on September 22, 1942 in her beautiful homeland of Havana, Cuba as the oldest of six daughters of Melchor W. Gastón Segrera y Maria Luisa Sánchez Maciá. She graduated from the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus high school in 1960 and left Cuba shortly after with her grandparents, Bernabé Sánchez Culmel and Ana Maria Maciá. Ani then entered the Handmaids religious order of nuns where she pursued her studies in math at Rosemont College and her master’s in religious education at LaSalle in Philadelphia. She taught at Ancilla Assumpta Academy of the Handmaids in Philadelphia and later served as vice-principal and then as principal of the school. 

After 17 years in the convent, she began her ‘second life’ marrying Bob McKee and delighting her life with their daughter, Alicia. They moved to Florida and she went on to teach at Madonna Catholic School. While she was married to Bob, she spent several years as the Secretary and Treasurer for their company, Bali Horticultural Enterprises. She later returned to her love of teaching and spent most of her career, 27 years, at Pine Crest Preparatory School. Here she taught math, comparative religion, values and served as an All Faith Chaplain, Community Service Director, and Assistant Principal of the Upper School. Her teaching career also had brought her services to St. Bonaventure Catholic Church, where she directed the religious education program and enjoyed serving in many capacities to help the parish and school grow and thrive.

Ani has lived the last years of her life very close to Alicia and her husband Jimmy and her beloved grandchildren Ryan James, Addison Paris and Matthew Hero. She was an intricate part of their lives as she helped to be the kids "Uber" picking them up from school, attend their sporting events, and enjoyed sharing life together, living in the same neighborhood. They have savored weeks at the beach each summer on Singer Island and family reunions in Miami and St. Simon’s Island.

Ani dedicated her life to her Catholic faith, and connecting with many friends, former students, Handmaids and members of her extended families. Ani wants to tell you all: “I praise the Lord who I have been able to touch through so many of you.”

Ani is survived by her loving daughter Alicia and husband Jimmy Palelis and grandchildren Ryan, Addison, and Matthew; her sisters: Cristina Sollosso (Juan) of North Lauderdale, FL; Beatriz Skeens (Don) of Cumming, GA; Marigarita Jenson (Kevin) of Hudson, FL; Maria Teresa Gastón (John Witchger) of Durham, NC.; 14 beloved nieces and nephews and their families; and many beloved Gastón Segrera and Sánchez Maciá cousins. Her sister Maria Luisa preceded her in death.

Her Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at Saint Bonaventure Catholic Church, 1301 SW 136th Ave, Davie, FL 33325 at 10am on Monday, November 16.

Following the Mass, all are invited to a celebration of life reception and sharing of stories and memories of Ani in the church hall. Please let Alicia know if you will be attending the celebration. Ani requested that we wear red to honor her, if you so choose to.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:

St Bonaventure Catholic Church- https://www.stbonaventurechurch.com/donate

Talk Breastie to Me- https://miami.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=8717

Boobie Troopers- https://boobietroopers.org/donate/

BRCA Strong- https://www.brcastrong.org/donations/brca-strong/

Ana Maria Luisa Gaston McKee’s memory will remain in the hearts of those who loved her. May she rest in peace.