In Memoriam

Phoebe Barret died this past high season.   A true Akumalian, she arrived here in 1995 and bought her condo at Luna Azul.  Phoebe and Rocio Cüe met in 1999 and together opened the Peak Gym here in Akumal Centro.  In 2002, they also opened a boutique clothing and craft shop.  They enjoyed traveling through Mexico finding items for the store.  In 2010, the gym moved to Tulum and the boutique closed.  Phoebe had a great sense of humor and loved new adventures.  She wintered in Akumal for 27 years, where she and Rocio enjoyed breakfast every day at one restaurant or another and met for wine at Phoebe’s condo a few days a week.  Phoebe is survived by a daughter and son, and her best friend, Rocio Cüe.

Roberto Rivas died in June of this year, on his birthday.  He had not been well for a few years, and his three daughters were with him at the end.  Roberto came to Akumal in the late 1990’s.   “Patchouli Bob”, as some of us fondly called Roberto, was a mainstay at Hacienda de la Tortuga, where he worked as manager for over 27 years.  Roberto, Héctor, and Elio worked together for many years as the HMB turtle volunteers.  He loved riding horses in Chiapas and was always the first one to help when someone was in need.  One day, Roberto and a son of someone staying in Akumal, killed a Cuatro Narices (four nose) snake.   Together they drove around Akumal, with the snake proudly draped over the hood of Roberto’s VW Beetle.   Quite the sight and a true adventure for them both.   He also loved riding his dirt bike, his long ponytail flying behind.  He’d put together Mayan remedies that usually had mescal, marijuana, and scorpion venom as some of the ingredients.  Friends tried these home remedies and believed they worked.   Every time I smell a hint of Patchouli, I will think of Roberto.