Carmelita (Chame) Calderon took her last breath on October 22, 2023 in the beloved home that she helped to build with her husband and family. She heard some of her children and grandchildren say their final goodbyes and she knew she was so dearly loved as she left this
earth. She was a loving daughter and sister, a devoted wife, a protective and hardworking mother, and a proud grandmother and great grandmother.

From humble beginnings in Tamaulipas, Mexico, mom went on to marry Pedro Calderon and eventually moved to El Paso to raise a family that included eleven children – Julia, Eduardo, Raul, Laura, Carmen, Malena, Patricia, Isabel, Rosa, Pedro and Miguel. Although she only had a
grade school education, she was a very intelligent person who made sure all of her children finished school, with several of them going to college to become lawyers and teachers. She was a lifetime learner who enjoyed finding out more about food, plants, crafting, travel, and theworld in general.

With her personality, she easily engaged others and developed deep and valued friendships. No stranger was off-limits. She was a person you could count on, whether it was in community service, the PTA, or volunteering for a potluck. Her friends and neighbors also knew they could go to her for advice or help of any kind. She took care of several of the widows in the neighborhood, often sending her children with meals or to run errands for them, even letting her kids stay overnight to keep them company.

She loved crafting, from ceramics and sewing to knitting and all sorts of handiworks. Her special enjoyment was making quilts and embroidered baby blankets. She also learned how to make and decorate cakes, making them for her family and creating large wedding cakes for happy couples. Many people were blessed by her creations.
Her wit, her generosity, her wisdom, her talents, and her appreciation for life will be greatly missed. Her quiet faith was clearly demonstrated in her service to her family and others and she taught us to work hard, be thankful and care for others too. For that and so much more, we are
forever grateful. Thank you, Carmelita, for being our mother!