Carmen Iris Burgos

With profound sorrow and deep love, we announce the passing of Carmen Iris Burgos, née Rodriguez, lovingly known to family and friends as Carmen, to her children as “Mami” and to her husband as “Honneeeey.” She passed away on December 23, 2025, at 5:29 p.m. at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Virginia, surrounded by her family. After facing health challenges with strength and grace, the Almighty gently took His breath from her body, and she fell asleep in peace. She was born on November 17, 1943, in Caguas, Puerto Rico, to Juan Rodriguez and Julia Rodriguez, née Alvarez.

When Carmen was three years old, she moved with her family to New York City, beginning a lifelong journey shaped by resilience, faith and devotion to family. She attended Norman Thomas High School for Business and Commercial Education in New York City, where she developed the foundation for her strong work ethic and lifelong professionalism. In 1975, she and her husband settled in Brooklyn, where they purchased their first home in the Sunset Park neighborhood, building a life grounded in hard work, partnership and community. In 2018, Carmen and her husband relocated to White Plains, Maryland, to be closer to their daughter and son-in-law. In 2022, she made her final home in Alexandria, Virginia, where she continued to be surrounded by family and love.

Carmen carried her Puerto Rican heritage with pride throughout her life, grounding her family in culture, faith and strength. Wherever she lived, she created a home defined by care, consistency and quiet warmth.

Carmen dedicated 24 years of her life as a Head Start teacher, touching the lives of countless children through her passion for early childhood education. Teaching was more than a career for her—it was a calling. This devotion inspired her to earn an associate’s degree in early childhood education from Adelphi University, a milestone she achieved with pride and determination.

Later in her career, Carmen worked as a receptionist at Morgan Stanley, where she greeted everyone who walked through the doors with grace and genuine care. She was deeply loved by the staff for the warmth and support she provided. On her birthdays and holidays, her husband often had to meet her at work to help carry home the many gifts she received, a reflection of how cherished she was by her coworkers.

Carmen was married to the love of her life, Felix Mario Burgos, for 53 years, a union rooted in devotion, partnership and unwavering love. To Felix, she was always his beloved “Honneeeey.” Together they built a home that became the heart of their family. As the matriarch, Carmen hosted family gatherings nearly every weekend, filling her home with laughter, love and connection. Family members eagerly looked forward to her incredible Puerto Rican meals, especially her beloved arroz con habichuelas. She took great pride in every dish, having learned her cooking from her mother, and her home was always filled with the unforgettable aroma of homemade sofrito hitting the pan. Every meal was prepared with love and anticipation and was always, without fail, sabroso.

Carmen was a very faithful woman and a devout Catholic whose life was guided by prayer. She prayed daily and provided comfort to others through prayer in their times of need. Her faith was deeply personal and quietly lived, offering peace, reassurance and strength to all who knew her.

Above all else, Carmen was a devoted mother whose love shaped generations. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Mildred Ann Colon, who passed in 2023.

She is survived by her children, Paul Anthony Colon, James Joshua Colon and Julia Alice Burgos, her son-in-law Eric Gladden, and her daughter-in-law Betty LaRue. Carmen was a proud grandmother to Jillian Elaine Peña, Paul (PJ) Hutchison Colon, Justin, Matthew and Sophia Colon, Anthony Colon, Krystle Colon-Garcia, Austin and Zion Gladden and Andre and Travis Bennett. She was also blessed with great-grandchildren Leyani Garcia, Jacob and Zayne Peña, Matice Wynn, Makayla Hutchison, Naomi Vega, Anthony (AJ) and Adelin Colon and five great-great grandchildren. Carmen is also survived by her siblings, Juan Rodriguez, Anna Burgos, Patricia Medina, Raphael Rodriguez and Robert Rodriguez.

As the oldest of her siblings, she carried a lifelong role of guidance, care and quiet leadership within her family. She was preceded in death by her sister Mildred Burgos, her brothers Julio and George Rodriguez, and her beloved parents and parents-in-law Alicia Rosa, Pedro Acosta and Ramon Rivera. She is further survived by brothers-in-law, James and George Burgos and Pete Acosta, her sisters-in-law, Cruz Rosa and Nellie and Alice Acosta, and her former daughters-in law Maria Perez and Liza Colon and former son-in-law Densil Bennett, along with countless nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren and friends who are mourning her loss and celebrating a life that touched so many.

Though our hearts are heavy with her passing, Carmen will never be forgotten. We take comfort in knowing she is now resting in peace, free from pain and surrounded by love. To her children and grandchildren, she will always be Mami—the heart of the family and the one who brought everyone together. Her legacy lives on in the generations she nurtured, the children she taught, the prayers she offered and the love she gave so freely.

A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held on January 2, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Murphy Funeral Home, located at 4510 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203.

The Funeral Service is scheduled for January 3, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Murphy Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203.

Graveside Services will take place on January 3, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm at Columbia Gardens Cemetery, 3411 Arlington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201.