Resolution 352-2001
COMMISSIONER DIXIE M. SPEHAR
RESOLUTION NO. 352 -2001
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY IN
RECOGNITION OF THE LATE EMMA CARRERO CATES
WHEREAS, Emma Carrero Cates passed away at the age of76 on August 21, 2001; and
WHEREAS, Emma was born in Key West on April 7, 1925, the daughter of Oswaldo R. and
Estella H. Carrero, and was a life-long resident of Key West; and
WHEREAS, Emma was the president of her high school senior class, a charter member of the
Key West Zonta Club, a longtime member and past president of the Key West Garden Club, and a past
City Commissioner; and
WHEREAS, Emma was known as "Mother Nature" when she ran her health-food store, Mother
Nature's Bounty. She was known as a champion for women, Key West beaches and her family; and
WHEREAS, Emma recognized as a female pioneer, was a straight-talking proud Conch. She
was the first female Deputy Sheriff in Monroe County, a position that stirred her lifelong involvement in
politics. She was also one of the first women City Commissioners in the mid-1980's; and
WHEREAS, City Commissioner Merili McCoy, who served on the Beach Advisory Board with
Emma, noted that Emma was a Conch with a lot of common sense and her big love was the beaches; and
WHEREAS, former Key West Mayor Tom Sawyer, who also served with Emma on the Beach
Advisory Board, said she helped get the sewage plant built in the late 1980' s and was a "strong ally" for
putting culverts under White Street Pier which improved water flow, and that she persevered for 12 years
to get Smathers Beach renourished. He also added that, "She had a love for life. Her eyes would sparkle.
Her eyes would just be beaming. And she was proud to be a Conch"; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Emeritus Sally Lewis, who served on the City Commission with
Emma, said the two had a "mutual respect," even if they didn't always see eye-to-eye. She said Emma
was a very straightforward woman. She never pulled any punches and she said exactly what she thought
and how she felt; and
WHEREAS, much of Emma's life was devoted to her family and friends, and she believed her
greatest accomplishment was her children. Her daughter, Cecile Gegg, said her mother earned the
nickname, "Mother Nature" because she was "nurturing, strong and wise, and very spiritual"; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS:
Section 1: The Board hereby adopts this Resolution as an expression to the family of their
deepest sympathy in the passing of the late Emma Carrero Cates.
Section 2:
beloved family.
Commissioner Dixie M. Spehar forwards a copy of this Resolution to her
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida,
at a meeting of said Board held on the 19th day of September , A.D., 2001.
Mayor George Neugent Yes
Mayor Pro Tem Nora Williams Yes
Commissioner Charles "Sonny" McCoy Yes
Commissioner Murray Nelson Yes
Commissioner Dixie M. Spehar Yes
L. KOLHAGE, Clerk
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
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