Beloved Cabot Dining Hall Worker Dies at 38

Harvard University Dining Services (HUDS) employee Maria R. Guerrero died Wednesday night at Mount Auburn Hospital after a two-year battle with cancer. She was 38.

Guerrero, who was a general service worker in the Cabot House dining hall, is remembered for her optimism, her thoughtfulness and her smile.

“Maria touched a lot of lives simply by being who she was,” said Jessica D. Murphy ’04.

Guerrero left her job in November when the cancer—sinonasal adenocarcinoma—began to spread aggressively. But those who knew her said she never lost her upbeat spirit.

“Everyone was struck by the way she handled her disease with such grace. Even though she was in such pain, she was always smiling,” Murphy said. “She was really an inspiration to the entire house.”

Guerrero, who previously worked at the Celeris convenience store in the Quad, is survived by her two daughters, Ericka, 17, and Karen, 11.

“When her cancer had metastasized she was working two full-time jobs to support her and her daughters.” said Mary A. Quinlan, a Cabot House dining hall employee. “And she continued to work until she could work no more.”

Guerrero kept close relationships with many Cabot House residents, and she was a source of inspiration for many in the House.

Students said they visited Guerrero in the hospital almost daily in recent weeks, answering her plea not to be left alone.

“We would come and stay from 7 or 8 until 11 or midnight for the last few days,” said David V. Jenkins ’03-’05.

Murphy, who visited Guerrero Wednesday afternoon, said she will miss “her strength and her smile.”

“I’m just glad she’s not suffering anymore,” Murphy said.

Guerrero was well-known for that beaming smile, which persisted even as her illness became more severe.

“She just had a zestful life. I used to describe her as being like sunshine. Wherever she went she would light up everything,” Quinlan said.

Guerrero, who enjoyed sending and receiving cards, also wanted her good cheer to spread through Cabot House.

“One time she sent me a card that just said ‘thank you for smiling when you come into the dining hall,’” Murphy said.

Steven R. Sandblom, general manager of Cabot and Pforzheimer House dining halls, accompanied Quinlan to visit Guerrero in the hospital earlier this week.

“When we visited her the other day, she was so serene but she had such a bright smile on her face,” he said. “She said she genuinely wanted to thank all of Harvard for everything that they had done for her.”

“It was so touching because she had that huge smile on her face,” he added. “I’ll remember that forever.”

HUDS, in collaboration with Harvard Real Estate, found an apartment for Guerrero and her family late last year.

“She had a resolve to live as well as she could as long as she could and be there for her daughters as much as she could,” Quinlan said.

Guerrero, also known for her strong faith, maintained her resolve until the end.

“She used to say that the people in her life were angels,” said Murphy. “She was really an angel to us. She never cursed God or said ‘why did this happen to me?’”

The wake will be held Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m. at Saint Mary’s Church, located at 134 Norfolk St. in Cambridge. The funeral will be held at the same location at 9 a.m. on Monday.