Carmen C. Ferrer

Carmen Cecilia was born on November 22, 1919, in Guantanamo, Cuba. Throughout her life, her Catholic faith was the corner stone of her foundation, from childhood to motherhood. She attended El Colegio Teresiano, an all-girls Catholic School run by the Sisters of Santa Teresa de Jesus, along with her sister and future sisters-in-law. As a young adult, she was active in the local chapter of La Federación de la Juventud Católica Cubana (The Cuban Federation of Catholic Youths) where she and Rafael Jose Gerardo Ferrer Santo Domingo began their long courtship which culminated in their marriage on September 24, 1948, at Santa Catalina de Ricci Catholic Church in Guantanamo. During their 63 years of marriage they prayed the rosary together nightly.

Due to the Castro Communist revolution and the closing of all catholic schools in 1961, they made the most difficult decision of their marriage – sending Rafael, age 12, and Rosendo, age 10, in August 1961 and Maria del Carmen, age 8, and Magaly, age 6, in March 1962, to Miami, Florida. Over 14,000 unaccompanied minor Cuban children were sent by their parents (Operation Pedro Pan) and were assisted by the Catholic Diocese of Miami, through the office of Catholic Charities.

With the birth of their youngest child, Maria del Rosario in May 1963, their family was complete although separated from the four oldest children. The girls were at St. Joseph’s Home for Girls in Dallas and the boys were at Morris School for Boys in Searcy, Arkansas. Carmen and Rafael with Carlos, age 8, Javier, age 5, and Maria del Rosario, age 2, arrived in Mexico in August 1965 and entered the United States in November 1965. With assistance from Catholic Charities, the family was soon reunited in Dallas.

In the 17 years of her married life in Cuba she never worked outside the home though she took great pride in her sewing and in embroidering everything in sight; towels, pillow cases, baby clothes, the girls’ blouses, dresses, etc.… In the United States, she stayed at home with her youngest children and took care of other neighborhood children to help with the household expenses. From the late 60’s until 1981, she worked in textile as well as eyewear before retiring. She could never be idle, so in retirement she immersed herself into her love of gardening, especially roses, and her passion of arts/crafts and crocheting anything she could imagine. The baby blankets she made were sought after by family and friends. She also dedicated herself to caring for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Family was the most important thing in her life, not just her immediate family, but her large extended family as well.

The retirement of her beloved husband, Felo in 1984 allowed them to take cruises and many trips to Miami, New York and New Jersey to visit her extended family. She was always the center of attention at any party or celebration, as with most Cubans, needed very little reason to find an excuse to celebrate any occasion.

She was a resident of Carrollton, Texas and a member of Mary Immaculate Catholic Church community since 1972 where they renewed their marriage vows on their 50th anniversary on September 24, 1998.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 63 years Rafael Jose Gerardo Ferrer Santo Domingo (2011); parents Juan Miralles Tellez and Maria Carmen Esquer Gragera: siblings: Rosario Miralles Esquer, Jose Miralles Esquer, Juan Jose Miralles Esquer, Enrique Miralles Esquer; nephew: Juan Jose (Joe) Miralles Marti; and granddaughter: Amy Harbrecht.

She is survived by her seven children: Rafael (Carmen), Rosendo Jorge, Maria del Carmen, Magaly de la Caridad, Carlos Manuel, Javier Anselmo and Maria del Rosario; ten grandchildren: Jose Manuel Ferrer (Melissa), Juan Gabriel Ferrer (Lydia), Jessica Anne Seago (David), Rachel Lanette Reilly (Steve), Jason Carlos Ferrer (Tania), Matthew Harbrecht, Joshua Joseph Ferrer, Danielle Marie Ferrer, Flower Carmen Avila, and Alfonso Jose (AJ) Avila; eleven great grandchildren: Anthony Louis Ferrer, Tristan Alexander Ferrer, Hunter James-David Seago, Kincade Anthony Seago, Sierra Elaine Banks, Sydney Elise Banks, Regan Reilly, Chance Harbrecht, Mikaya Serenity Ferrer, Kahlil Sage Ferrer, and Dania Itzanamy Landa.

The family wishes to acknowledge the great sacrifice of her youngest child, Maria del Rosario Avila who left her job to live with and give around the clock care to Mami and Papi, from January 2009 until Mami’s passing. We are also grateful for the caring manner in which Vitas (Hospice) Healthcare assisted her in her final months.

She will always live in our hearts.