Xiomara Arce

With profound sadness and endless love, we announce the passing of Xiomara (Pinero) Arce, who peacefully departed this life on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 7:30 PM, surrounded by her cherished family at Advent Health Hospital in Orlando, Florida, after a brief but valiant battle with leukemia. Born on November 14, 1963, in Havana, Cuba, Xiomara’s life was a testament to resilience, adventure, and love. At the age of nine, she moved to Spain, and in 1975, she and her family settled in Garden City, Michigan, where she quickly embraced her new home, mastered the English language, and proudly became a U.S. citizen. Xiomara’s greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her devoted husband of 22 years, W. Michael Arce, her beloved twins, Colin Wheaton and Isabella Wheaton, and her stepdaughters, Julia Arce (Alexander) and Rebecca Nas (Ali). She also leaves behind her loving mother, Juana Llamas, her sister Nieves Batista (Enrique), her mother-in-law Beverly Arce, and her brothers-in-law Jeffrey Arce (Donna), James Arce, Thomas Arce (Cristina), and David Arce (Mary). She will also be deeply missed by her sister-in-law, Linda Cosgrove, her half-brother, Antonio Pinero, and her adored grandchildren, Lola Arce, Ryder Arce, and Xander Arce. Her memory will forever live on in the hearts of her many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends, both in the U.S. and Cuba. She is now reunited in heaven with those she dearly loved, including her father, Ramon Pinero, her sister Maria Domingues, her son, Jeffery Whitacre, her father-in-law, G. William Arce, her stepsons, Jeremy Arce and Nicholas Arce, and her brothers-in-law, Stephen Arce and Joseph Cosgrove. Xiomara embraced life with an infectious joy and a vibrant spirit. She loved her ‘local ladies’ chat group, found exhilaration in skeet and trap shooting, and was a former Ladies Grand Champion in both at Multi Lakes Conservation Association in Commerce Township. She was passionate about traveling, making annual trips to Florida and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and had a deep love for animals—she never hesitated to buy discounted fruit at Kroger just to feed the deer in her backyard. She found happiness in the simple pleasures: cooking, golfing, playing euchre, and spending time by the ocean and lakes. She adored seafood, sweets, music, and dancing, and her laughter could brighten even the darkest days. Xiomara’s love for her country was undeniable, and she never missed an opportunity to express her gratitude for the life she built in the United States. Her warmth and light will be missed by all who knew her, especially her beloved dogs, Romeo & Juliette, who rarely left her side, and Colin’s dog, Rudy, who came into her life on the day of her son Jeffery’s funeral and became a source of deep comfort. Xiomara’s presence was a gift, her laughter was contagious, and her love knew no bounds. She ‘cornered the market on smiling’, and those who had the privilege of knowing her will carry her light in their hearts forever. She will be our angel through life until we meet again. Planning for Celebrations of Life are underway for Orlando, Florida in April and Milford, Michigan in early May. Details to follow

Xiomara Arce

November 14, 1963 - March 15, 2025