Carmen Beatriz Cruz

Carmen Beatriz Cruz brought her light and unconditional love into this world on May 18, 1946 in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico. Carmen was the oldest daughter of Aurea Moreno and Salvador Guzman. Eventually becoming the “big sister” to her 12 siblings, Carmen began preparing for her role as matriarch at a very young age.

Carmen and her family moved to New York, where she met the love of her life, Jose Cruz, at the age of 12. Just two years later, on July 18, 1960, the two were wed in Brooklyn, New York. Carmen and Jose shared the next 62 years together, and had six beautiful children, who were the light of her life.

While raising her family, Carmen went back to school for her GED, and started college. She would go on to have a career as a family planning counselor with MIC, retiring after over 20 years of service.

Carmen moved to Utah with her family in 1999, and lived her life to the fullest, dancing, laughing, and spending time with her children, 20 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild, who she met one day before she departed from this earth. Carmen was looking forward to the birth of two more great-grandchildren, and one more great-great-grandchild.

Known more affectionately as “Mami”, Carmen took on the role of a mother figure to all who needed one, and because of this, her family never stopped growing.

Mami always had a plate of hot food, a spicy conversation, and wise advice for anyone who needed it. If you had the “good bochinche”, but needed to spill it, you always knew Mami would keep your secret safe.  Mami was always the life of the party, getting everyone off their seats and onto the dance floor. Even as she became weak, you could spot her with her walker, or on her wheelchair, swaying her hips in her signature way.

Mami was our warrior. She was a fighter, especially when it was about something or someone she believed in.  She loved and accepted everyone, through the good and the bad, and while she would never give up on us, she wouldn’t hesitate to tell us when we were wrong.

Our beautiful matriarch made her departure on April 24, 2022 at 4:24pm, surrounded by the love of her family, with her husband holding her hand, and music by her favorite singer, Julio Jaramillo playing.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Tati, and Lucy; four brothers, Octavio, Gus, George, and Sal; nephews Luis and Miguel; nieces Tita and Bruni, and her grandson Neal. Survived by her husband Jose “Cheo” Cruz, children Carmen “Bibi” Cruz, Jose “Juni” Cruz, Margarita “Margie” Salazar (Luis), Aurelio “Papo” Cruz (Joanne), Marlene Avelis (Patrick), and Rojelio “Roy” Cruz, her ever growing family, and all who loved her.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 30, 2022 at Lindquist’s Roy Mortuary, 3333 West 5600 South. The family will meet with friends Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary. All are welcome to pay their respects and share stories about Mami.

Interment, Clinton City Cemetery.  

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