By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic
Photographer: Courtesy
Silvia Bravo Camaraza, a Catholic educator for 44 years, passed away at 94 years old in 2025. At Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in Miami, she is particularly remembered for expanding financial aid, establishing multiple scholarships for families in need.
MIAMI | Our Lady of Lourdes Academy announced in a September 30 press release that Silvia Bravo Camaraza, a Catholic educator for 44 years, passed away at 94 years old.
Camaraza began her career at Lourdes Academy in Miami in 1966 as a Spanish teacher and freshman homeroom moderator. Over the decades, she served in a variety of leadership roles, including director of institutional advancement. Through her leadership, she raised nearly $12 million for Lourdes Academy, directly transforming the campus and strengthening the school’s mission. One of her career highlights was securing the largest gift in school history, a $250,000 donation.
Camaraza is particularly remembered for expanding financial aid, establishing multiple scholarships for families in need. She obtained a major grant from the Goizueta Foundation, which funded the school’s strategic plan, IT upgrades and the creation of the Goizueta Scholars Program for Hispanic girls from underserved backgrounds.
Accordingly, Lourdes Academy, in partnership with the family, has established the Muchachitas Fund to honor her memory. Named for the affectionate term Camaraza used for all Lourdes girls, the fund will provide tuition assistance for families in need and will support future capital projects.
Photographer: Courtesy
Silvia Bravo Camaraza, a Catholic educator for 44 years, passed away at 94 years old in 2025. In 1966, she began her career at Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in Miami as a Spanish teacher and freshman homeroom moderator, later becoming director of institutional advancement.
Camaraza's lifelong dedication was recognized with the Founders Legacy Award in 2024, and earlier this year she was named an inaugural recipient of the Legacy of Lourdes Award, selected by alumnae. Her family accepted the award in her honor at the annual Alumnae Mass October 5.
During her time at Lourdes Academy, Camaraza welcomed every new family personally and introduced an innovative pledge model, later replicated by schools across the region. She was all about community-building, launching signature events—Golf, Fishing, Tennis and Card Night—not just as fundraisers, but as “Friend-Raisers” that deepened community bonds.
“Silvia had an extraordinary gift of vision,” said Sister Carmen T. Fernandez, Lourdes Academy president. “She saw not only what Lourdes was, but what it could become, and she dedicated her life to making that vision a reality.”
The Lourdes Academy community gathered to celebrate her life September 28, paying respects to her family, sharing cherished memories and reflecting on her contributions.
LEARN MORE
- To contribute to the Muchachitas Fund in memory of Silvia Bravo Camaraza, please click here.
Photographer: Courtesy
Silvia Bravo Camaraza's family members pose for a photo after the presentation of the Muchachitas Fund, a collaboration with Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in Miami created to celebrate Bravo Camaraza's lasting impact and support for future generations of Lourdes students, Sept. 28 at Our Lady of Lourdes Academy.
