Carmen Jimenez's Obituary
Carmen T. (Tena) Jimenez passed peacefully into the arms of her beloved Lord Friday morning, August 19, 2022. She was 96 years old. Carmen was born at home on December 9, 1925 to Jose Maria Tena and Esther Armendariz. She was born in the small copper mining town of Clifton, Greenlee County, Arizona She attended local schools and graduated from Clifton High School in 1943. Carmen Tena and Hilario (Lalo) Silvas Jimenez, the son of Hilario Ernesto Jimenez and Alvina Silvas as Jimenez were married on September 20, 1947 in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church in Clifton, Arizona Carmen and Lalo Jimenez had six children together. An infant daughter Mary died shortly after her birth in 1957 and their oldest son, Danny, passed away from motorcycle accident in 1983. After forty-four years of marriage, Lalo passed away at the age of 71 in 1991. Carmen Tena Jimenez loved playing the piano for everyone who cared to listen, "never by sheet music but always by ear," she was proud to say. At any family gathering, she would eventually be conned into taking a seat at the piano. From the polka "Roll Out the Barrel to a Mexican love song, she would play away. Carmen enjoyed flower gardening and did not mind boasting about her beautiful poinsettias or her gorgeous plumeria tree. "Beautiful and gorgeous" she would chide, "until Lalo decided to prune them. They were never the same after that." She loved butterflies and would grow plants that encouraged their continuing return every year to her gardens and her large living room window. Throughout her life, Caren enjoyed dancing. From a young girl trying to teach her younger sister, Molly, how to "wiggle her butt" to a teenager learning new dances with her girl friends, dancing was always part of who she was. She would often go to the local church and community dances and after she and Lalo were married, they were known to put on quite a show together. In December 2015, in celebration of Carmen's 90th birthday, her son Johnny, made arrangements for a dinner and music at a local Mexican restaurant. When the musicians started playing the corridos, her son Sam took her to the dance floor where they danced to two back to back songs. "She never missed a beat." Sam said of his Mom. "Ninety years old and she moves better than I do." Two years later, encouraged by her granddaughter, Monique, Carmen got up from her chair and performed her dance through an entire two minutes and twenty five seconds. To the laughter and delight of every one of her children, her grand-children, and her great-grand-children alike, Monique graciously posted the video of her Grandma on Facebook where it could be enjoyed by all. In addition to her husband, Hilario (Lalo), her daughter, Mary, her son, Danny and her grandson, Mario Silva as Jimenez, Carmen was predeceased by her parents, two half-sisters, May Tena Marquez and Alecia (Leecha) Tena Fernandez, a half-brother, Ralph Bailon, a sister, Amelia (Molly) Tena, and both of her brothers, Frank Tena and Tom Tena Over the latter part of her life, she lost many brother and sister in-laws, as well. Carmen is survived by her four children, Samuel (Suzanne) Jimenez of Fort Jones,
California, Esther (William) Jameson, Linda Jimenez and John Jimenez, all of San Diego. She is also survived by one cousin, Rosie Armendariz (Henry) Perez of Phoenix, Arizona and many nephews and nieces in both her Tena and Jimenez families. Together Carmen and Lalo have 13 grandchildren: Jennifer, Danny Jr., Sam Jr., Mario (deceased), Marirose, Michael, Priscilla, William Jr., David, Steve, Anthony, Carlos and Monique. They have 24 great-grandchildren and eight great-great grandchildren. Upon his Mom's passing, her son Johnny probably said it best. "She's dancing with Dad, now" Carmen will be interred with her husband, Hilario in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery at Point Loma (San Diego), California. Arrangements will be provided by Claremont Mortuary.
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