After a long and courageous twenty-one year battle with pancreatic cancer, at the age of 81, Maria del Carmen Perez “Carmen” of San Antonio passed away in the early hours of Monday, October 12, 2026, at home surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on December 20, 1944, in Laredo, Texas, to Jesus and Florinda Martinez.
Carmen was a devoted, loving and proud mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and cousin. She was known for her love of flowers, plants, gardening, Spanish Ranchera music, literature, historical reading, mahjong, sudoku, embroidery needle work, puzzles, baking, making family favorite meals, playing loteria with family, sharing old family stories, laughing until she cried and traveling the world with her family. She built a lifetime of love and memories that her loved ones can carry with them throughout their lives.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband John H Perez; Parents, Jesus and Florinda Martinez; Siblings, Jose Luis Martinez, Sylvia Reyes and Angelina Martinez.
She is survived by her loving children John J Perez, Sophia P Sanchez (Agustin), Veronica M Torres (Joshua) and John E Perez; Grandchildren, John C Perez (Shannon), Deborah Perez (Mandy), John R Perez, Joshua M Sanchez (Kimberly), Aracelli Sanchez, Amanda Sanchez, Deandrea Morin (Jonathan); Great-Grandchildren, Emory Perez, Micaela Jo Perez “MJ”, Jamison Perez, Parker Sanchez, Orlando Perez, Salem Morin; Siblings, Mary Cardenas (Frank+), Librado Martinez, Maria del Rosario Espinoza “Kina”, San Juanita Martinez “Jane”, Jesse Martinez (Janie), Florinda Martinez “Chata”. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members who were blessed to know and love her.
We find comfort in knowing that she has been reunited with her loved ones in Heaven and is now at peace in the presence of the Lord. Her memory will live on in the hearts of her family and all those whose lives she touched.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the physicians, nurses and staff at Texas Oncology, Methodist Hospital and At home hospice for the care, compassion, encouragement and support they provided to her and our family throughout this long journey.
Visitation will be held at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home, 6321 Bandera Road, San Antonio, TX 78238, on November 2, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Rosary to begin at 7:00 pm.
A Funeral Service will take place at St. Dominic Catholic Church, 5919 Ingram Rd, San Antonio, TX 78228, on November 3, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.
A Committal Service will follow at San Fernando Cemetery II, 746 Castroville Rd, San Antonio, TX 78237, on November 3, 2026, from 11:30 am to 12:00 pm.
A celebration of life gathering will be held following the Committal Service.
