Carmen C. Andreu

Carmita was small in stature, but big in the size of her heart for her family. When I first met her son, Juan, she had been away visiting Carmencita at college. I had already met Juan Andreu and the rest of the family. So our first meeting was at Jennifer’s 4th birthday party. I knew then that this lady was a lot of fun and really enjoyed the little ones.

It wasn’t long after that Juan asked me to marry him. My relationship with Carmita solidified as the wedding day approached. My parents were overwhelmed with running their new business and planning the first wedding in the family. When Carmita learned that I had not picked out my going away dress with my mother, she took charge. She immediately planned a trip to the mall and we found a lovely pale yellow silk dress that would be my “turnaboda.” I will forever be grateful to her for that kindness!

To know Carmita, was to experience life with her.This can best be told in many little vignettes…. There was the time that she took care of Elizabeth and Alexandria, and the house was filled with girly girl activities. Later, she would be caring for her three grandsons, Hector Luis, Maximiliano and Michael. Each was a year apart from the other, so there was a time when they were all in diapers. Soon the middle bedroom became the playroom and she was forever sweeping up lego pieces at the end of the day. By the way, she was never Nana or Aba, or anything else but “Carmita” to the boys. She teased Michael for pronouncing, “Tarmita.”

We all appreciated how Carmita was truly a kid at heart. I remember commenting how the little ones would eat the soft middle of the bread and leave behind the crust. That’s when she spoke up and said, I know a 63-year-old who does the same. She was talking about herself!

We have lovely, sun-kissed memories of weeks at the beach with Carmita and Juan. She was the one who loved the water. I remember her diving into the ocean waves, completely fearless, and frolicking with her son, Juan. She would launch off his legs and make a big splash. Juan remembers month-long stays at Miami Beach with the family. Later she joined us for family weeks in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, and eventually at Sanibel.

During her last days in the hospital, she was still able to express her wants. We laughed when she saw us eating a cookie and realized she wanted some. She really savored that little taste of peanut butter cookie. And, that last buchito of cafecito that we offered her was delicious. We know that she is now in heaven, smiling down at us. Que Dios te bendiga, Carmita!

Carmen is survived by her daughter, Carmen Catalina Andreu, and son Juan Jose Andreu. His wife, Mary Karrer Andreu and grandsons, Hector Luis Cruz, Maximiliano Rafael Cruz and Michael Joseph Andreu.