Carmen Saldana

Carmen Cantú Saldaña, 70, was called to be with God and reunited with her son on December 28, 2021. Carmen was born in Austin to Micaela and Gregorio Cantú. She graduated from Johnston High School and attended The University of Texas.

Carmen and her husband of 46 years, Frank Saldaña, together lovingly raised two children, Vicky and Luis. She was an exceptional wife and mother, always known as a band or team mom, and often called “Mom” by many friends big and small. Carmen was a caring and generous soul and lived out her strong Catholic faith by continuously looking to help and take care of others. After retiring from her career with the Texas Nurses Association, then the Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists, she began working as a private caregiver for patients who were ill or had special needs. She was passionate about connecting with her clients to not only provide the physical and medical care they needed, but also to seek out ways to improve their quality of life in any way possible.

Carmen enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and researching her family’s ancestry. Connecting and sharing with family and friends was extremely important to Carmen. She made it a priority to reach out and offer support to her numerous friends and family members, often traveling with her husband to attend their concerts, sport events, ceremonies, or offering to contribute food or other donations to the cause.

Carmen is survived by her husband Frank, daughter Vicky, and grandchildren Sydney, Olivia, Ryan and Adrian, siblings Gilbert (wife Mary), Edward, Alfredo, Andres (wife Mary Alice), Greg (wife Lenora), Gloria Bermea, and Margaret Mendez (husband Manuel), and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by parents Gregorio and Micaela, sister Hope Hernandez, son Luis, and other loved ones.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Dell Seton, and the staff at Silverado Austin Hospice who have cared for Carmen through this difficult time. And a special thank you to Margaret Mendez and Anna Maria Mendez Saenz, who have also been weekly caregivers.

Memorial services will be held at Cook-Walden on Monday, January 3rd.

Memorial donations may be made in Carmen’s name to Hospice Austin. https://www.hospiceaustin.org/get-involved/donate/