Carmen Duque Robicheaux

Carmen was born on the 16th of September, 1954, in Iloilo, Philippines, to Concepcion Sison Dumayas, who survives, and the late Dr. Rodolfo Dumayas, Sr. She is also survived by her children, Pamela Dailey and Steven Duque; her husband, Ronald Robicheaux; her siblings, Dr. Ellen Abelita, Dea Tulio, Dr. Rodolfo Dumayas, Jr., Danthea Dumayas, Malili Baula, Dr. Zarah Diaz, and Vincent Dumayas; her granddaughter, Aurora Duque; and many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Carmen was a voracious reader and lifelong student. At 57, she earned a Master of Science in Nursing Education degree from the University of Texas in Tyler. Carmen used her education to help others—most recently as a 12-year veteran case manager at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, after serving in case manager and nursing roles as a Registered Nurse in various Houston hospitals.

At 24, Carmen came to the United States, first to Nashville, Tennessee, before making her way to Houston, Texas. As a Houstonian, she was a pioneer, serving as a catalyst for her sisters’ choice of Houston as their new home. It was Houston where Carmen met her first husband, Ricardo Duque; raised her children as a single mother after he passed away in 1991; and met her second husband, Ronald Robicheaux, whom she married in 2004.

First and foremost, Carmen defined herself as a mother, often working more than one job to provide formal educations for Pamela and Steven at St. Thomas’ Episcopal School and Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, before they attended Yale and Harvard, respectively, for their undergraduate degrees. A spirited adventurer, Carmen traveled extensively with Ron, Pamela, Steven, her siblings and mother. A proud homeowner in Southwest Houston, Carmen worked tirelessly on renovations of her house, where she was the frequent host of gatherings among friends and family.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o'clock in the afternoon until nine o'clock in the evening, Tuesday, the 1st of July in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, with the vigil and recitation of the Holy Rosary commencing at seven o'clock in the evening.

The funeral liturgy is to be offered at two o'clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, the 2nd of July, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 10330 Hillcroft Street in Houston.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons.

All whose lives were touched by Carmen are welcome at her wake, funeral service and reception.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed in Carmen’s name to name to Bridge of Hope, www.bridgeofhopeinc.org, which works with churches and Christian organizations to support and mentor homeless single mothers and their children. Memories, condolences and comments can be posted online at www.momentswithcarmen.com.