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She found beauty in the world around her and delighted in simple pleasures that made life sweet.

Carmen Carrodeguas, born July 1, 1939, in Manhattan, New York, passed away on September 18, 2026, in Columbia, Tennessee. She lived with a strong spirit and a warm heart, and she will be remembered as a woman who loved deeply, spoke honestly, and brought her own bright presence wherever she went.

Carmen was direct, independent, funny, loving, generous, and very friendly. She was something of a firecracker, clear about what she liked and what she did not, and she carried herself with a strength that those around her knew well. She was proud of her family and treasured the people she loved. She also loved the Lord with all her heart and loved Jesus deeply. Worship music brought her joy, and her faith was a steady part of her life.

She found beauty in the world around her and delighted in simple pleasures that made life sweet. Carmen loved flowers and loved to garden. Gardens and birds were among her favorite things, and she especially enjoyed bird watching. She also loved sweets and treats, with favorites that included a Coke, a hamburger, and ice cream. More than anything, she loved going out—out to lunch, out for ice cream, and out “window shopping,” which often became actual shopping. With her familiar humor and outlook on life, she would brush it off with, “meh, it’s only money,” and remind those around her that you only live once.

One of Carmen’s proudest accomplishments was her work at Holy Cross. She often said those were the best years of her life. She loved meeting new people and learning new things, and that season of her life remained especially meaningful to her.

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She understood love in all its fullness, including the heartache it can sometimes carry, yet that never stopped her from loving more and more.

To her family, Carmen was unforgettable. She was remembered as a beautiful woman who told the truth in love. She understood love in all its fullness, including the heartache it can sometimes carry, yet that never stopped her from loving more and more. That steadfast love, joined with her honesty, humor, and faith, leaves a lasting legacy.

Carmen is survived by her daughter, Liz Hoyos, and her son-in-law, Steve Hoyos. She is also survived by her brothers, Jose Rivera and Samuel Rivera; her sisters-in-law, Celia Rivera and Elsie Rivera; and by her beloved grandchildren, Leah Hoyos, Madison Hoyos, Samantha Hoyos, Taylor Carrodeguas, and Craig Carrodeguas. She was deeply proud of her family, and the love she gave them will continue to be carried forward in their lives and memories.

She was preceded in death by her father, Anselmo “Sam” Rivera; her mother, Matilde Rivera; her brothers, Anselmo “Junior” Rivera and Orlando Rivera; and her son, David Carrodeguas. Their memories remained part of her life and story, and now she rests with those who went before her.

Visitation for Carmen will be held on September 24, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Serenity Funeral Home & Cremation, 1450 S. State Road 7, North Lauderdale, Florida 33068. Interment will take place on September 25, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, 1500 S State Rd 7, North Lauderdale, Florida 33068.

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Her presence was vivid and full of life, and she will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Carmen Carrodeguas will be remembered for her strong will, her generous heart, her love of beauty, her laughter, and her deep devotion to the Lord and to her family. Her presence was vivid and full of life, and she will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.