Carmen M. Diaz

She was known as Carmita to her friends, Mrs. Diaz to her students and alumni, and Pupa to her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and broader Miami society.

Carmen was born in Havana, Cuba to Adelaida Hernandez, a nurse, and Agustín Madan, a physician. She was an only child, but her parents were one of 13 and 17 children, so she grew up with a large extended family. This cultivated her acceptance of others and ability to connect with so many people. From a young age, she observed and assisted her father in his medical practice, an experience which laid the foundation for her unparalleled desire to nurture and help others.

Carmen graduated from Baldor Academy in 1948, where she was salutatorian of her class, and where she met the love of her life and future husband of 71 years, Gonzalo Eduardo Diaz. Humbly and quietly ahead of her time, Carmen earned her degree from La Universidad de la Habana, but her career plans were interrupted by the need to care for her terminally ill mother.

Carmen and Gonzalo were married at La Iglesia de Los Pasionistas in La Víbora on September 9, 1951. They had three children: Gonzalo, Agustín, and Ana. They lived in the penthouse floor of the family business in El Vedado, now in its fourth generation of being family owned and operated. These happy times for Carmen and Gonzalo were defined by hard work, raising children, trips to their beach house, sailing out of their beloved Miramar Yacht Club, and traveling to regattas.

The Cuban Revolution brought an end to that idyllic life, forcing Carmen and Gonzalo to start anew in the United States. Through much heartache and sacrifice, they laid roots in Miami, reconnecting with old friends and family from Cuba and making new ones. While Gonzalo worked to establish the next iteration of the family business, Carmen raised the children in the Catholic faith, ran the house, and for almost two decades, taught mathematics at Our Lady of Lourdes Academy, also serving as assistant principal for some time.

The consummate educator, she was beloved by all of her students, many of whom remained part of her life until the end. In 2024, she was honored by Lourdes with the

Founder’s Legacy Award, a testament to her enduring influence on the school and its community. After her retirement and well into her 80’s, she continued to tutor the children and grandchildren of former students, friends and her own family members.

The arrival of Carmen’s grandchildren marked the acceleration of her matriarchal brand and the birth of her new identity as Pupa, so named by one of them and adopted by many. Pupa lived for her grandchildren and was a core part of their lives, helping to raise them. She celebrated their diverse personalities, interests and talents, attending countless theater productions, music performances, baseball games and swimming meets. Her generosity was always on display for them and her great grandchildren, in whom she also delighted.

Sunday dinners at Pupa’s house were an institution where for decades, you could find Pupa nourishing and doting over her family and whomever they happened to bring. Pupa’s compassion, faith, selflessness, intellect and humor were superlative, and she had an outsize impact on everyone in her orbit. Her love will be felt for years and generations to come.

Carmen Madan Diaz is predeceased by her parents Adelaida and Agustín Madan and her husband Gonzalo Eduardo Diaz. She is survived by her three children: Gonzalo Antonio Diaz (Marisel Diaz), Agustín Gilberto Diaz, Ana Teresita Diaz (Antonio Fernandez); eight grandchildren: Daniela Diaz, Veronica Diaz, A. Lucas Diaz, Gonzalo Alberto Diaz, Adrian Diaz, Anneli Fernandez, Arturo Fernandez, and Agustín Fernandez; and nine great grandchildren: Lucy, Henry, Alexa, Monica, Gonzalo Eduardo, Gabriel, George, Hawkins and Colette Diaz.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to Piper’s Angels Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis: https://www.pipersangels.org/

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