Carmen Matos

Carmen Matos, aged 82, went home to her Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 3, 2015. She was the daughter of the late Jose Matos and Angelina Carrasquillo. Born in Puerto Rico on August 26, 1932, Carmen was preceded in death by her brothers Daniel and Gabrielle, her sister Dominga and a great-grandson Elias.

Anyone who knew Carmen knew of her love for the casino. When she lived in Philadelphia she would take the bus to Atlantic City or Parx Casino as often as she could. And of course, what would a night with Carmen be without a game of dominoes. She was a tough competitor and loved to win. Wherever she lived, Jersey City, Puerto Rico, Philadelphia, or Cleveland, she enjoyed talking to people, her friends and neighbors. Most days if the weather was nice, you would find Carmen sitting outside for part of the day and people would stop to chat. If you ever wanted to know what was happening in the neighborhood, she knew, but “she didn’t like to talk”. If you asked her about something, she would say “Oh, I dunno”, but if she heard you talking about it, she would give you all the facts. That was just her way. Her children never tired of teasing her about her taste in the “old” Latin music and her favorite group El Gran Combo.

Most of all, Carmen loved her family. She is survived by her two brothers and their spouses, Cheo Matos & Gloria and Elia Matos & Maritza and her six children and their spouses, David Reyes & Maria, Emilio Rivera & Natalie, Carlos Rivera & Patricia, Frances Carrasquillo, Martha Adorno, and Anna Matos & Luis. In addition, Carmen was blessed to have 24 grandchildren: Yaira Reyes, Sabtecha Reyes, Jesenia Reyes, Sheila Reyes, David & Jessica Reyes Jr and Estrella Reyes; Emilio Rivera Jr, Daniel Rivera, and Angelica Rivera; Stephanie & Jerry Perez, Katherine Rivera, Christopher Gunther and Abigail Gunther; Anita & Ignacio Fuentes, Angelina Rivera, and Alexander & Cassandra Rivera; Angel Torres, Anna Adorno, Juan Carlos Adorno, Jose Adorno, and Angie Adorno; Dulce Matos, Anna Matos and Luis Matos along with 8 great-granchildren: Kiamary Perez and Yarelis Perez; Greyson Gunther and Jacob-Anthony Perez; Ignacio Fuentes Jr, Immanuel Fuentes, Israel Fuentes and Hannah Fuentes. Carmen’s extended family includes many cousins, nieces and nephews in Puerto Rico, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio and countless other places around the globe.