Adelaida E MacLaren

Adelaida MacLaren, known to friends and family as Adelita, Adel, and Dil, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2026, at Suncoast Hospice in Tampa, Florida, at the age of 81. Adelita was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, Tia, and friend.

Born on September 1, 1944, in Belize City, Belize, Adelita lived a life marked by love, creativity, generosity, and devotion to her family. For 58 years, she shared a loving marriage with her husband, Lawrence “Larry” MacLaren, building a home filled with warmth, laughter, and cherished traditions. Their love story was one for the ages and admired by all those who knew it.

Adelita was the proud mother of four children: Karina MacLaren Thompson, Tara MacLaren Dinger, Daniel MacLaren, and Marnie MacLaren. She was also a cherished mother-in-law to Kris Dinger, Chris Thompson, and Lauren Holmsley and loving grandmother to six grandchildren: Mia, Connor, Jackson, Kara, Aidan, and Owen, who brought her immeasurable joy and pride.

A talented artist, Adelita expressed her creativity through art, creating beautiful paintings featuring flowers, parrots, beach landscapes, and scenes inspired by her beloved homeland of Belize. Adelita loved reading and learning, and she approached life with curiosity and appreciation for the stories and experiences that connected people.

Adelita enjoyed bringing people together. She hosted mahjong gatherings, sewing circles, and memorable dinner parties, always making guests feel welcome and cared for. Her beautiful smile could light up a room and instantly put people at ease. Her gift for hospitality, attention to detail, and talent for creating beautiful experiences made her a wonderful hostess and treasured friend.

She and Larry shared a sense of adventure that led them from Belize to Canada to the United States before returning to Belize, where they raised their family. Her children treasure many happy memories of family trips—everything from boating on weekends to climbing Mayan ruins in Mexico and traveling by pitpan to Rio Dulce in Guatemala. Guided by Larry’s familiar refrain, “To heck with the weather, let’s go,” the family rarely let rain, heat, or less-than-perfect conditions stand in the way of making memories together. While the trips were always memorable, many were also centered around visiting loved ones in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, reinforcing the strong family bonds that meant so much to both Adelita and Larry.

Those who knew Adelita will remember her radiant smile, patience, kindness, sense of humor, creativity, and remarkable organizational skills. She approached life with grace and warmth, leaving a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Her daughters especially remember the words she often shared: “If you’ve got it, flaunt it” and “Wear it while you can,” which reflected her belief in having confidence in yourself and enjoying each phase of life. Her other favorite saying was “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all,” which reflected her belief in treating others with kindness and respect.

Adelita’s legacy lives on in the family she cherished, the friendships she nurtured, the artwork she created, and the countless memories she leaves behind. Her beautiful smile, loving spirit, and generous heart will be deeply missed and forever remembered with love.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those who wish to honor Adelita’s memory do so by sharing time with loved ones, creating something beautiful, or extending an act of kindness in her spirit. Tell your family you love them.