Carmen Elbanbuena Dela Cruz

Carmen Dela Cruz, age 90, of Missouri City, Texas, a loving mother of five and devoted wife to her late husband, Felipito Miranda Dela Cruz, has reunited with our heavenly Father on Friday, November 4, 2022, surrounded by her beloved family, the sacred holy spirit and the angels above.

Carmen was born on July 16, 1932, in Santa Barbara, Iloilo City, Philippines, to Pedro Elbanbuena and Carolina Umadhay. She was a woman with a vibrant personality, endeared by her friends and family for her outstandingly positive attitude. She grew up on a small farm with five siblings; agricultural farming was the basic source of their livelihood. Her childhood friends adored her wit, sense of humor, discipline, kindness, thoughtfulness, and candidness. She worked with Pacita Araneta, and her family, and through this, she was able to meet her husband, Felipito. She was a great mother, a strong woman of God, a hard worker, and a pillar of support for her family. Throughout Carmen’s life, her family was the center of her world; she ensured the education of her children, the greatest gift she could give.

She came to Houston, Texas, 21 years ago. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in the year 2010, battled and won against it with multiple medications and chemotherapy, along with the support of her loving family. She remained a cancer survivor for her remaining 12 years. Her doctors and medical team were amazed by her outstanding bravery and will in her fight against her illness.

Carmen was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Alfonso, Marina, Alfredo, Francisco, and Gloria. She is survived by her five lovely children; daughters Mary Ann Dela Cruz of Missouri, TX, Milagros Chao of Missouri, TX, Maricar Dela Cruz-Sia of London, and Gracell Dela Cruz of the Philippines; her only son, Mario Dela Cruz of Las Pinas, the Philippines; her son and daughter in law, Richard Guevarra & Joe-Ann Dela Cruz; her darling grandchildren, Matt, Monique, Michael, Louise, Earl, Justin, Patrick, Jayson, Cassie, Anne Margareth, Marquis Johnson, Matteo, Cedrick and a host of other cousins, nephews, nieces, family, and friends.

Carmen was a Wife, Mother, Sister, and a friend of many. She will always be in our hearts as an irreplaceable part of our lives and will be greatly missed.

The Dela Cruz family would like to give special thanks to her providers at MD Anderson Cancer Center and InterActive Health Care Inc. for her general care and to Genus Patris Hospice and the staff who took great care in ensuring her comfort.

A visitation and viewing will be held on Thursday, November 10, 2022, from 5:00-8:00 pm in the chapel of Memorial Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery: 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas, 77079.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, November 11, 2022, from 2:30-3:30 pm at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery: 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas, 77079.

We invite all her loved ones, family and friends alike, to celebrate her life through these services.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialoaksfunerals.com for the Dela Cruz family.