Carmen Simmons Arce

Carmen Simmons Arce was born in Manila, Philippines on September 9, 1925 to Adela D. Simmons and Arturo D. Arce. She was the oldest of the four children, and she had three sisters named Dolores, Aurora and Florentina.

She went to school in Manila. She was a volleyball player in high school and graduated from Arellano High School. She married Simeon F. Navarro when she was 17 years old. They have four daughters named Carmelita, Adelaida, Carlota and Avelina.

Carmen and Simeon were business people in Manila where they owned restaurants and a garment factory. Carmen managed the businesses while her children were growing up.

In 1971, she immigrated to the United States to join her daughter Carmelita. She started working in San Francisco as seamstress. She loved sewing, cooking, dancing and traveling. She loves classical music and Mariachi music. Her favorite sport was baseball and her favorite team was the Giants. She had many friends and they went to parties on the weekends in addition to the family gatherings and celebrations.

In 1982, she was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. From that time on, she stopped working as a seamstress. During the following years, she traveled to different places and devoted her time to her family and friends. She loved to cook for others.

Every time there was a celebration or occasion, she always cooked for her loved ones. She was well known for her "pancit palabok", "lumpia" and "leche flan". Even with her arthritis pain in her later years, she could not resist cooking something for everyone especially on Thanksgiving, Christmas and birthdays of her children, grandchildren and sisters. She always had gifts along with the cards written with prayers.

A devotee of the Blessed Mother and Sacred Heart up to the end when she died on July 13, 2011 in St. Luke's Hospital in San Francisco, California.

She is survived by her daughters Carmelita N. Lucente, Adelaida N. Soriano, Carlota N. Canlas and Avelina N. Hom, Sons-in law - Carlos Lucente, Isagani Soriano, Juanito Canlas and Winston Hom. Grandchildren - Christine and Christopher Lucente, Christel and Abigail Soriano, Johanna, Jennifer and Jeremia Canlas and John Hom. Great grandchidren - Cathrine, Chelsee, Cassandra and Joshua Gabel, Christiana, Mia, and Caiden Lecente, Ame Reiss S. Caroza, Katja and Maya Zimmer, Kylie Trudeau, and Naythan Cruz. Her surviving sister Florentina S. Alarcon with daughter Caroline Arce married to Felixberto Baluyot and their son Brian Baluyot.

Carmen was always thankful to the Lord for the blessed 85 years of her life. She is now at peace in our Lord's care.