Carmen L. Cardenas

Carmen DeLeon Cardenas, 91, of Port Aransas, Texas went to her eternal home with her heavenly father on January 18, 2025.

Carmen was born on December 10, 1933 to Rosa Salinas and Juan DeLeon in Laredo, Texas. After graduating from Martin High School, she married the love of her life, Carlos Cardenas, in 1954 on April 18, going on to have two children, Leticia Maria Cardenas Grounds and Carlos Alberto Cardenas.

Carmen was an xray technician at the M&S Clinic for many years, then established a home childcare. She had many creative hobbies such as: like macrame, jewelry- making, beading dresses, and paper mache. She was an accomplished seamstress, sewing her daughter's wedding dress, and many bridesmaid dresses and ball gowns.

Carmen was the matriarch of her family, following the death of her beloved mother, Rosa. She was generous with her love and care, welcoming in many of her siblings and various nieces and nephews over the years. She nursed them back to health and showered them with love so they could thrive. Her home was the place to be for Merienda, a cup of coffee, homemade desserts, and pan dulce.

Carmen’s favorite hobby was gardening. She had a green thumb and would have Carlos stop on the side of the road so she could get cuttings or seeds, which she would lovingly tend to in her garden. She was a proud booster for United high School in Laredo, a member of The Ladies Auxiliary of the Evening Lions and a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church Altar Society.

Everyone loved Carmen, her family, her neighbors, and her Spanish class of Winter Texans. She was a Godly example of a noble woman, a woman of great faith, a devoted daughter, a loving sister, a beloved wife, a nurturing mother, a doting grandmother and great grandmother.

She is preceded in death by her mother Rosa Salinas, her father Juan De Leon, her sisters; Carlotta Meza, Cecilia Barrera, Dolores Barragan, her brothers; David Hernandez, Carlos Hernandez, her beloved husband, Carlos Cardenas, and her son in law, Gregory Grounds.

She is survived by her daughter, Leticia, and son, Carlos, her grandchildren, Jessica and her husband Brandon, Christopher and his wife Lerin, Victoria and her husband Neil, and Carlos, her great grandchildren, Parker, Weston, Walker, and Isabella. She is also survived by her daughter in laws Patti and Gisela, her brother Daniel, and sisters, Juanita and Rosario.