Carmen Celia Sabates

Carmen (Mamita, Mrs. C, Grandma, Bama) Celia Sabates passed away at her home in Key Biscayne, Florida on Friday, August 30, 2024. She was surrounded by her husband Felix, children Carmen Maria, Felix Jr, and Nelson.

Carmen Celia Petra Carlota Corripio y Manzanarez was born in Camaguey, Cuba on November 4th, 1931. She was preceded in death by her father, Segunda Corripio, and Carmen Mazanares, both from Asturias, Spain. Having lost her mother at birth, she always treasured her years with the nuns at El Colegio Teresiano in Camaguey. She would say her favorite movie was the "Sound of Music" because she could relate to Julie Andrews and her life with the nuns.

She received her Doctorate of Pharmacy at the University of Havana. Although the family lived in the city of Camaguey, she enjoyed spending time in the country at their ranch with her favorite horse, Tojosita, and the many animals she cared for.

She met the love of her life, Felix, when they were childhood friends in Camaguey. They reconnected in Havana when Felix was at the University of Havana Medical School and she at the University of Havana School of Pharmacy. Carmen would brag that they were engaged for eight years before marrying on June 2, 1957. After their honeymoon in Niagara Falls, they settled in New York, where Felix was to begin his postgraduate medical training in Ophthalmology.

They had their first child in New York, Carmen Maria, in November 1958 and traveled to Cuba in March 1959 for her baptism. While there, Carmen and Felix were told by their parents that Cuba was headed to Communism and that their future plans would be best in the United States. After New York, they moved to Boston, where Felix Jr was born in October 1959 and where Felix Sr. completed his Fellowship training. In 1960, they moved to Columbia, Missouri, where their third child, Nelson, was born. They had every intent of returning to Cuba after the Bay of Pigs in 1962. However, Cuba had fallen to Communism and the family would now make the United States of America their permanent home. Carmen's strength was always the backbone of the family.

Carmen loved Kansas City and its people because of the Midwest values. She found the people to be warm and friendly nothing like New York and Boston. The family moved to Kansas City in 1966, and in December 1968, Carmen became a citizen of the United States of America. She was so proud to be an American citizen and proudly displayed the American flag in her home.

Carmen's priority was her family, and she focused on raising her three children and volunteering at their schools, from organizing activities at Notre Dame de Sion Lower School, where she would reminisce about her time with the nuns in Cuba,

to volunteering for the many activities at Barstow and Pembroke. She was the first to volunteer as a chaperone at all the school parties. And she never missed a school play or sporting game for her children and grandchildren. Her children and grandchildren's friends loved her so much that many looked up to her as another mother.

Known as "Mrs. C," Carmen was pivotal to Sabates Eye Centers' growth and success. She was respected and loved by all, and she always made it a point to ensure everyone and their families were doing well. She would go out of her way every day to help anyone. One of the original supporters of the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Carmen worked with the founder, Russell Patterson, and his wife, Teresa, who was also Cuban. Her love of animals led to her involvement with Great Plains SPCA. She would drive around Kansas City, rescuing dogs and making sure homes were found for them.

Carmen's empathy and compassion touched all the lives around her.

Carmen is survived by her husband, Felix; her daughter, Carmen Maria; her sons, Felix Jr. and Nelson (Rachael); and her grandchildren, Alexandra, Victoria, Catherine, Nelson Jr., Olivia, and Spencer.

There will be a private family Catholic Mass in Key Biscayne, Florida followed by a celebration of life at a later date in Kansas City, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Great Plains SPCA - Please call (913) 831-7722, mail to: 5428 Antioch Drive Merriam, KS 66202, or google Great Plains SPCA.