Mayra Claudette Alvarez

Memorial Service will be streamed live. 

To view, click HERE (link will be active 11:45 am)

Mayra C. Alvarez, beloved mother and youngest of 10 siblings, passed away October 4th 2022, from natural causes associated with dementia. She was 81 years old and her years on this Earth were only eclipsed by her kindness and generosity. Born December 3, 1940 in Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, to her parents Merdina and Stanley Lettman, it was a day that the angels rejoiced in Heaven for the gift that this world was receiving. In her native country of Costa Rica, growing up as a young girl, to say she lived in a full house was an understatement. She had eight sisters and two brothers, losing one brother, Earl Lettman, at a very young age. Her surviving brother Joel Lettman, was the closest to her in age and both shared their love of basketball; both almost played in the Pan American Games, and were part of the top amateur league in Costa Rica. Mayra’s team was famous in Costa Rica known as the "Kevir", meaning big or huge in Arabic. Her son Rodney Lettman, remembers with pride when he was 16, his mother well in her 40’s, played basketball with all his young high school friends, some who even played junior varsity basketball. By the end of the day’s game, Mayra gave his son and friends a lesson in basketball. All were in shock from her talents and from that moment forward she would always be known as the “Mom who had game”-which made Rodney famous in high school.

Mayra eventually left Costa Rica and came to America in 1963 with her mother. They lived in Brooklyn, Park Place, New York. In 1964, she accepted a position American Express in Manhattan, it changed her life. Years later Mayra met Serge Alvarez, they loved each other dearly. Excelling in her career with American Express, she agreed to relocate with her division to sunny South Florida, Plantation/Fort Lauderdale, to be precise. She continued to experience success in her career, and married Serge Alvarez, who followed to Florida wanting to build a new life together. After residing in three places in Florida, she finally bought a house and settled down in Weston. She was a resident of Weston until her death. Mayra had a profound love of clothes, one which “Macy’s” would attest to with thankfulness. She loved animals, including her late golden retriever, Indiana, and she loved giving to charities. Some of the bureaus and dressers in her home are so over stuffed with charity thank you letters, they are unable to close. Mayra found that she would never need a new key chain again having received so many thank you gifts from the charity organizations she gave too-including the ASPCA, UNICEF, Child World Hunger and the American Red Cross. She loved giving and had a very huge heart. Her son knew this kindness first hand. Never was there a son who benefited more from a mother’s love. Raising him very often without a father, she played the role of mother and father to perfection; sending him to college in Binghamton, New York, where he achieved an undergraduate degree. 

Although she didn’t belong to an organized denomination in Florida, she was a devout Christian. Praying often, she kept the Temple of God in her heart and cherished the relationship with God deeply. Before moving to Florida, she belonged to the Methodist Church of 7th Avenue in Brooklyn, New York. Mayra received divine fortune and love, in return she gave it back. She is survived by her son, and many wonderful nieces and nephews in New York and Costa Rica. Mayra’s son took care of her during her last day’s and for this he will be forever grateful. Mayra is the last of all her 10 siblings to join God in Heaven. On the day of her death, the Heavens rejoiced from the reuniting of all her brothers and sisters, and her mother (Mama) who sparked the foundation of the Lettman Family.  

Rest in peace dear mother, and fly on the wings of angels. 

Know that you are forever loved.  

We all will meet again.