Carmen Delfidia Carroll

Carmen was born on October 5th, 1940 in Los Angeles, California to Otilia Ordonez and Antonio Rodriguez. She grew up there along with her younger siblings, Olivia and Armando. She attended local schools. At a very young age Carmen was drawn to the Lord Jesus and the Catholic faith, attending church by herself when she was only 5 years old. When Carmen was a teenager she went to Fremont High School. She enjoyed social activities and dances. It was here that she met her future husband Mike Sierras. She graduated in 1959 and they were married soon after. Within a short time they were blessed with a daughter, Sylvia Marie and soon after another daughter Lisa Renee. 

Mike got a job in the Aerospace industry so they made the decision to move to Washington State. During this time Carmen gave birth to two more children, a son, Michael Anthony and another daughter Monica Louise. Carmen was very active in her community. A catechist and youth group leader at St Martin of Tours Catholic Church. She loved to sing and teach about the Lord. She was also a regular fixture in the Fife School District in Milton and began a career as an ESL educator.

In 1986 they moved back permanently to California settling in the Spring Valley area.Carmen began working at Monte Vista High School as an ESL Paraprofessional and eventually became a student counselor. She founded and led the Si Se Puede group at Monte Vista for which she later received a channel 10 leadership award. Carmen was very passionate about teaching and her students and peers loved her. She also received awards from the California Association of Bilingual Education, the Fraternal Order of Police San Diego and Harmoniumfor her dedicated service. Around 1993 Carmen and Mike were divorced and she remained in Spring Valley. Carmen stayed very busy with her children and grandchildren. Often hosting family events and Holidays.She was very talented at creating a warm, fun and inviting environment for her family and friends.

She met Terry Caroll while working at the high school and they began dating. They were married July 12th, 1997 and moved to Lemon Grove.Carmen was always stylish and for a couple of years they owned a second hand boutique called Carmen's Closet in Casa De Oro. They stayed in the area for a number of years before moving to their forever home in Jamul in 2015. Later when Carmen was diagnosed with dementia Terry cared for her at home until her final months in an assisted care home in La Mesa where she peacefully passed with family by her side. 

She is survived by her husband Terry, her siblings Olivia and Armando and their families, her children Sylvia, Lisa, Michael and Monica, Jack and Mandie. Their spouses Tom, Tom, Debbie, Colin, and Andy. Her grandchildren Rianna, Tommy & Erin, Ashley & Matthew, Samantha & Corey, Anthony, Camryn Trey, Orion, Ellie, and Paxton. Her great-grandchildren Ethan, Riley, Hannah and Poppy. Carmen was a beloved daughter, wife, mother, sister, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, teacher, woman of unshakable faith and an inspiration to anyone who she came into contact with. Her light and love will shine eternal on those of us who knew and loved her.

Psalm 46:5 God is in the midst of her she shall not be moved.

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.