Maria Carmen Andrade

home in Barstow, CA, surrounded by her family, two days after her 95th birthday.

Carmen was born on October 30, 1929, in the town of Tala, Jalisco, Mexico, to Jesus and

Carmen Gomez. She was the second oldest of 8 children. The Gomez family owned a sugar

cane plantation that is still farmed by the family today. Carmen moved from Mexico to the

U.S. in the early 1960s, where she met her beloved husband, Jose Andrade Jr. The couple

were married on January 8, 1968, and went on to have 3 children, whom they adored - Jose,

Andrea, and Ana.

Carmen was a devout Catholic who loved the simple beauty of life. She was an avid

gardener and found great joy simply sitting in the quiet of her garden. Her infamous annual

trips to Mexico to visit her siblings and large family were the highlight of the year. And she

always brought back fabulous stories of good food, fun, and family! Carmen was an

incredible cook, who made the best sopa de fideo and nopales in town!

Carmen is survived by her son, José (Anne) Andrade; daughter, Ana (Joseph) Jaramillo; sonin-law, David Markus; grandson José (Heather) Cruz; granddaughters Mylena, Amani, Ella,

Nora, and Conley, and great grandchildren José, Jenna, and Andrew. She was preceded in

death by her husband, José Andrade Jr., and her daughter Andrea Carmen (Dave) Andrade.

She was also a surrogate mother to so many more including Summer Ortiz (McCain) and

her sister JJ Bray (McCain) who she cared for from the time they were 6 weeks old.

A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Carmen’s life will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic

Church on Friday, November 15, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. A rosary will be said prior to the Mass

at 9:00 a.m. Interment will follow at the family plot at Mountain View Memorial Park,

Barstow, CA. Following the interment, the family will greet friends and loved ones at St.

Joseph’s Noonan Hall.

Dale Señor el descanso eterno. Brille para ella la luz perpetua. Descanse en paz. Amén