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 the
world 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

Visitation For Carmen will be held at San Jose Funeral Home East (10950 Pellicano) on Thursday, October 26, 2023 from 4:00 pm to 8:00pm with a Service at 6Pm. Final Resting Place will be at Desert View Cemetery in Chaparral New Mexico on Friday, October 27, 2023 at 1:30pm.

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